Case 22 — Follow-Up

Chimere was treated with ticarcillin administered intravenously for one week following the definitive diagnosis of infective (bacterial) endocarditis. She was then placed on Clavamox as an oral agent for the following three weeks. During that time, Chimere gradually improved — she became stronger, had no recurrence of fever, and ate and gained weight.

One month after the first echocardiogram (~5 weeks after starting antibiotics), her owner brought her back. On physical exam she looked reasonably normal for a 13-year-old dog. She walked stiffly but was bright and alert. The first surprising thing was that she had no heart murmur.

Follow-Up Echocardiograms

Follow-up echocardiogram showing no vegetative lesions remaining on the mitral valve leaflets.
Follow-up echocardiogram.
Follow-up echocardiogram confirming complete regression of the vegetative lesions.
Follow-up echocardiogram.
Follow-up echocardiogram showing clean mitral valve leaflets.
Follow-up echocardiogram.
Follow-up echocardiogram with no evidence of mitral regurgitation.
Follow-up echocardiogram.

The echocardiograms were a total surprise. This is by far the most amazing response ever seen in a dog with bacterial endocarditis. The lesions were completely gone and had apparently completely regressed. There were no lesions on either valve leaflet and no evidence of mitral regurgitation.

Since then the owner has decided to keep Chimere on Clavamox and she has continued to do well.

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