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HE may be precipitated by severel conditions in animals, all of which cause an increase in the blood concentrations of ammonia and/or mercaptans:
HE may be precipitated by severel conditions in animals, all of which cause an increase in the blood concentrations of ammonia and/or mercaptans:
*'''Metabolic alkalosis'''
*'''Metabolic alkalosis''' increases the production of ammonia by the kidneys and increases the uptake of urea across the blood brain barrier.
*'''Hypokalaemia'''
*'''Hypokalaemia'''
*'''Constipation''', increasing the length of time that colonic bacteria are able to act on undigested amino acids.
*'''Constipation''', increasing the length of time that colonic bacteria are able to act on undigested amino acids.
*'''Gastro-intestinal haemorrhage''', increasing the amount of protein available to GI bacteria.
*'''Gastro-intestinal haemorrhage''', increasing the amount of protein available to GI bacteria.
*'''Diet with a high protein, purine or methionine content'''
*'''Diet with a high protein, purine or methionine content'''
*'''Azotaemia'''
*'''Azotaemia''', increasing the concentration of urea in the GI tract and also causing GI haemorrhage if [[Uraemia|uraemia]] develops.
*'''Hypermetabolic state or fever''', as may occur in many forms of systemic illness due to the effects of inflammatory cytokines and which leads to the catabolism of lean body protein.
*'''Hypermetabolic state or fever''', as may occur in many forms of systemic illness due to the effects of inflammatory cytokines and which leads to the catabolism of lean body protein. A similar phenemenon may occur if glucocorticoids are administered at high doses.
*'''Dehydration''' increases the effective circulating ammonia concentraton.
*'''Dehydration''' increases the effective circulating ammonia concentraton.
===Diagnostic Imaging===
===Diagnostic Imaging===
Imaging is not required to make a diagnosis of HE but it may reveal abnormalities relating to the underlying cause.
Imaging is not required to make a diagnosis of HE but it may reveal abnormalities relating to the underlying cause.
==Pathology==
Myelin degeneration, consisting of vacuoles between the grey and white matter, may be observed on histopathological examination of cerebral tissues from affected animals.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
[[Category:Liver_-_General_Pathology]]
[[Category:Dog]][[Category:Cat]]
[[Category:Dog]][[Category:Cat]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]