Clinical presentation and ultrasonographic fndings in bufaloes with congestive heart failure

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical presentation and ultrasonographic fndings in waterbufaloes sufering from congestive heart failure. Fify-three bufaloes with congestive heart failure, which was confrmed postmortem,were included. Te fnal diagnoses were traumatic pericarditis (n = 38) and vegetative endocarditis (n = 15). Ten healthy bufaloes wereenrolled in this study as controls. Te main clinical presentations were those related to right-sided congestive heart failure includingperipheral edema, venous distension and jugular pulsation, and a sharp drop in milk yield. Only 5 bufaloes exhibited signs of lef-sidedheart failure. Ultrasonographic examinations showed cardiac and extracardiac lesions. Accumulation of massive anechoic fuids inthe pericardial sacs, peritoneum, and pleura represented pericardial, peritoneal, and pleural efusions, respectively. In bufaloes withendocarditis, the afected valves appeared as hyperechogenic thick mass structures with nodular or proliferative vegetative lesions. Small(25 mm) vegetative lesions were imaged. Te most afected valve was the tricuspid (n = 8), then the mitral (n =5) and pulmonary (n = 2). In addition, perireticular abscesses, hepatomegaly, dilated caudal vena cava, and lung consolidations werealso imaged. In conclusion, the prognosis seemed poor. Ultrasonography may be helpful in the evaluation of lesions in bufaloes withcongestive heart failure.