Feline Infective Endocarditis: Vet Guide 2025 🐱🩺🦠

Hi devoted cat parents! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺. Although rare, infective endocarditis (IE) in cats is serious and rapidly progressive. This 2025 guide explores causes, signs, diagnosis via echo and blood culture, intensive 6–12 week antibiotic treatment, prognosis, and nurturing home support—all with clarity and caring emojis 😊.

🔍 What Is Infective Endocarditis?

IE is infection of the heart’s inner lining—most often the valves—by bacteria (occasionally fungal). It leads to vegetations (clumps of bacteria, fibrin, platelets), causing valve damage and heart failure :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

• Bacteremia from dental disease, skin abscesses, UTIs, indwelling catheters, or wounds :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Most commonly affects aortic and mitral valves :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Occurs in older cats (~9 yrs), no specific breed/sex predisposition :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Rare overall: prevalence ~0.006–0.018% in cats :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

👂 Clinical Signs

• Fever, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Heart murmur or new murmur detected by vet :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Respiratory distress, cough, congestion due to left-sided damage :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Thromboembolic signs: hind‑leg paralysis, pain, lameness :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Polyarthritis or limp if septic emboli affect joints :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🔬 Diagnostic Plan

• Physical exam: new murmur, fever, pulses, joint pain.
• Bloodwork: CBC/Chem, inflammatory markers :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Blood cultures: at least 3 sets before antibiotics :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Chest X‑ray: assess heart size, pulmonary edema, emboli :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• ECG: may show conduction delays, arrhythmias :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Echocardiogram: gold standard—vegetations, valve damage, regurgitation, effusions :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Apply modified Duke criteria: major/minor clinical and echo/culture findings :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

🏥 Treatment Strategy

1. Hospitalization & Supportive Care

• IV fluids, oxygen, treat heart failure (furosemide, ACE inhibitors, pimobendan) :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Manage arrhythmias and complications.

2. Antibiotic Therapy

• Start broad-spectrum IV antibiotics (ampicillin + gentamicin or enrofloxacin) :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Adjust per culture & sensitivity results; continue oral therapy for 6–12 weeks :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Monitor via repeat blood cultures to ensure clearance :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.

3. Address Complications

• Treat embolic complications: pain relief, fluids, clot prevention (clopidogrel) :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Surgical intervention rarely possible in cats—reserved for severe, localized valvular damage.

📈 Prognosis & Monitoring

• Generally poor prognosis in cats—often diagnosed late, with high mortality :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.
• Better if infection limited to one valve, prompt treatment, no heart failure :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Frequent rechecks: echo, ECG, bloodwork, repeat cultures during treatment.

🏡 Home Care & Supportive Measures

• Use **Ask A Vet app** 📱 to track temperature, appetite, breathing, heart rate, and treatment adherence.
• Provide calm rest space—cozy **Woopf & Purrz** bedding reduces stress 🛏️.
• Maintain medication schedules; set reminders in app.
• Arrange for lab sample drop-offs; monitor for side effects.
• Log any signs of relapse: fever, lethargy, cough, limping—seek immediate vet attention.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Infective endocarditis is rare in cats but rapidly severe.
• Key signs: fever, new murmur, echo vegetations, blood cultures.
• Treatment requires hospitalization, 6–12 week antibiotics, and supportive cardiac care.
• Home monitoring with Ask A Vet and a calm environment aid recovery.
• Overall prognosis guarded, but early intervention helps.

📞 When to Contact Ask A Vet

If your cat has sudden fever, murmur, breathing issues, limping or collapse—contact the **Ask A Vet app** 💬 immediately. Early action can be lifesaving.

✨ Final Thoughts

Infective endocarditis in cats demands swift, intensive care. With prompt, culture-guided antibiotic therapy, heart support, and vigilant home monitoring—backed by Ask A Vet and cozy comforts—you stand a stronger chance of helping your feline heal. You’re not alone in this journey ❤️🐾.