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Hepatic Encephalopathy - Horse (view source)
Revision as of 11:17, 19 August 2010
, 11:17, 19 August 2010no edit summary
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==Description==
==Description==
Hepatic encephalopathy is neurological disfunction caused by hepatic disease, 60-80% of hepatic function must be lost before clinical signs develop. A combination of mechanisms is probably responsible for the syndrome.
Hepatic encephalopathy is neurological disfunction caused by any acute or severe hepatic insult; 60-80% of hepatic function must be lost before clinical signs develop. A combination of mechanisms is probably responsible for the syndrome.
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
===Biopsy===
===Biopsy===
A liver biopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis of liver disease, a clotting profile should be carried out before taking an ultrasound-guided biopsy.
===Ultrasound===
===Ultrasound===
Transabodimal ultrasound can be used to assess the structure of the liver and degree of damage.
===Pathology===
===Pathology===
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
With supportive therapy horses may recover from hepatic encephalopathy after 4-21 days.
With supportive therapy horses may recover from hepatic encephalopathy after 4-21 days. Treatment is only warranted
Sedation is often necessary in cases of hepatic encephalopathy; An alpha 2 agonist at a low dose is usually effective. If the neurological signs are so severe that the horse is a danger to itself and others then immediste euthansia is indicated.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
Prognosis depends on the underlying disease, signs are potentially reversible if the initiating course can be corrected.
Prognosis is poor to severe but depend on the underlying disease; signs are potentially reversible if the initiating course can be corrected.
Horses with hepatic disease showing neurological signs have a poorer prognosis than those showing only signs af hepatic dysfunction. However with appropriate supportive therapy 40% of horses survive for at least 6 months. Recovery may be incomplete and temporary.
Horses with hepatic disease showing neurological signs have a poorer prognosis than those showing only signs af hepatic dysfunction. However with appropriate supportive therapy 40% of horses survive for at least 6 months. Recovery may be incomplete and temporary.