infections, which often spread thorough the circulation. Horses receiving intravenous injections are at increased risk of developing endocarditis as bacteria may be transferred from the external environment into the circulation. The clinical presentation of endocarditis is ______________ and progressive. Most animals present with poor performance and exercise intolerance first, then progress to fever, muscle weakness, myalgia, sweating, dyspnea, cough, anorexia, weight loss, heart murmur, edema of the limbs, petecchia of the ______________ , edema of the limbs and . Diagnosis of endocarditis is made through the clinical signs and symptoms, auscultation, radiography, EKG, blood analysis and urinalysis.
Treatment is the administration of systemic antibiotics.
Prognosis is fair to guarded. Permanent fibrosis of the heart valves may be a consequence of valve infection, which may lead to valvular disease.
Myocarditis
Myocarditis is used to describe the inflammation of the myocardium.
Myocarditis is caused by Streptococcus spp . infection, ______________ virus infection, strongylosis, or white muscle disease. Horses suffering from systemic infections or parasitic infestations are at higher risk of developing myocarditis. __________________ are at increased risk of developing white muscle disease, which may affect the myocardium. Infection attacks the myocardiocytes and the _______________ blood vessels causing infarction and necrosis of the heart muscle cells. The myocardiocytes surrounding the areas of damage become inflamed, causing decreased contraction and congestive heart failure. Transmission of infective agents to the myocardium is haematogenous, and infection may also spread from the heart to other organs through the blood flow. The clinical signs and symptoms of myocarditis include tachycardia, tachypnea, exercise intolerance, heart murmur, atrial fibrillation, fever, depression, anorexia and weight loss. Chronic myocarditis will produce signs of ________________ -side congestive heart failure. Diagnosis of myocarditis is made through the clinical signs and symptoms, ECG, EKG and blood analysis revealing neutrophilia, hyperfibrinogenemia, CK and LDH. Myocarditis is treated by removing the infective agent using systemic antibiotics, anti-virals, antihelminthics or corticosteroids. Furosemide may be administered to reduce heart edema and digioxin can be given to improve contractility of the heart muscle.
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