Case Study

Aortic and mitral insufficiency in a 10 year old FS Chihuahua

A 10-year-old FS Chihuahua dog presented for weight loss. On physical examination, a grade II-III/VI systolic murmur was present. Blood pressure revealed hypertension. Abnormalities on CBC and serum biochemistry included thrombocytosis, mild hyperglycemia, and elevated triglycerides.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

Vegetative mitral and aortic valve changes with aortic and mitral insufficiency. Myocardial fibrosis.

Image Interpretation

The aortic valve was thickened in this patient with a significant aortic insufficiency at 4.9 m/sec. Vegetative lesions on the aortic valve were noted. This may be related to underlying endocarditis or sepsis. Mitral insufficiency was also noted with a velocity: 3.8 m/sec.

DX

Vegetative mitral and aortic valve changes with aortic and mitral insufficiency. Myocardial fibrosis.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Cardiac disease: valve insufficiency, endocarditis, endocardiosis; GI disease: neoplasia, foreign body, IBD, ulceration: Pancreatic disease: chronic pancreatitis, abscessation, neoplasia.