Pseudomonas spp. associated vegetative endocarditis in two horses

This paper describes the case histories of two Thoroughbred horses, a 2-year-old colt in training and a 7-year-old broodmare, that were presented with histories of weight loss, exercise intolerance, intermittent fever, limb oedema and anaemia. Vegetative endocarditis of the mitral and tricuspid valves was diagnosed in the colt by means of echocardiography. Pseudomonas sp. endocarditis of the mitral valve was diagnosed in the mare using echocardiography and bacterial culture. The colt had secondary congestive heart failure and was euthanased on humane grounds. Pseudomonas cepacia was isolated from the vegetative lesions following the post mortem examination. The mare was sent home and treated with gentamicin at a dosage of 3.3 mg/kg intra-muscularly twice daily for ten days. Her condition improved and she returned to stud.