Ante‐mortem diagnosis of a doubly committed juxta‐arterial ventricular septal defect resulting in bacterial endocarditis and septic arthritis in a Holstein heifer

A 20-month-old Holstein heifer presented for evaluation of progressive hindlimb lameness that was localised to the left coxo-femoral joint, with development of a fever, tachycardia and bruxism. Radiographs and ultrasound of the coxo-femoral joint were relatively unremarkable. An echocardiogram showed a static left-to-right shunting ventricular septal defect (initially diagnosed via echocardiogram 1 year prior) and a new filling defect within the pulmonary trunk suggestive of pulmonary valve endocarditis. Blood culture was positive for alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus spp. Euthanasia was elected and postmortem examination confirmed ventricular septal defect, pulmonary valvular endocarditis, septic arthritis of the left coxo-femoral joint and positive cultures for alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus spp. This case describes endocarditis, bacteraemia and septic arthritis in a heifer with a ventricular septal defect. As with other species, cattle with ventricular septal defects should be considered susceptible and predisposed to complications such as endocarditis; this information may be useful for prognostication and management decisions.