Clinical Findings:

• In early stages, there is
  • pain,
  • avoidance of movement,
  • abduction of elbows,
  • arching of back,
  • shallow abdominal respiration
• Pain is evident on percussion or firm palpation over cardiac area of chest wall
• Animal lies down carefully to avoid pain
• Pericardial friction sound is heard on auscultation which is replaced by muffled heart sounds later during effusion period
• Elevated temperature; 103-106°F
• Increased pulse rate
• If gas is present, each cardiac cycle is accompanied by splashing sounds on auscultation
• In second stage, there is marked increase in heart rate, severe toxemia, signs of congestive heart failure; edema of brisket region, marked jugular pulse, starts to develop.
• Animals usually die in secondary stage of pericarditis

Laboratory Findings:

• Marked leukocytosis and neutrophilia
• Hyperglobulinemia