Septic polyarthritis associated with bacterial endocarditis in two dogs.

Two dogs were examined because of chronic shifting lameness. In each case, lameness was attributed to septic polyarthritis, as documented by synovial fluid analysis and culture. In 1 dog, antemortem diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis was verified by clinical and culture data. Treatment of both dogs was unsuccessful, and necropsy of each dog revealed bacterial endocarditis with coexistent septic polyarthritis. Bacteriologic blood cultures yielded an anaerobic Streptococcus sp (dog 1) and Pasteurella multocida (dog 2).