ENDOCARDITIS IN CATTLE - A REVIEW OF 22 CASES

Twenty two cases of endocarditis in cattle were confirmed by ultrasoun d and/or at necropsy. A persistent tachycardia was the most consistent finding on clinical examination while elevated plasma proteins were p resent in 19 cases. The most frequent lesions were on the tricuspid va lve which was the only valve involved in eight animals. Multiple valve involvement was present in three cases. Four animals had a mural endo carditis only. Where blood culture or culture of the thrombus at postm ortem was undertaken ACTINOMYCES PYOGENES was the most frequent isolat e. Eleven animals (50%) died or were enthanised during the treatment p eriod. Seven animals (31.8%) survived for three to six months after di scharge and four (18.2%) made a complete clinical recovery.