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Description
Hepatic encephalopathy is neurological disfunction caused by hepatic disease, 60-80% of hepatic function mustbe lost before clinical signs develop. A combination of mechanisms is probably responsible for the syndrome.
Signalment
No age, sex or breed predisposions.
Hepatitis, Equine Serum Ragwort Toxicity Tyzzer's Disease Hyperlipaemia - Horse
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
Clinical signs vary depending on the severity of hepatic dysfunction, early signs are often subtle and may be missed. Clinical signs may be associated with feeding.
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Head pressing
- Ataxia
- Behavioural changes
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
Clinical signs associated with hepatic disease
- Weight loos
- Diarrhoea
- Icterus
Laboratory Tests
Biopsy
Pathology
See also Hepatic Encephalopathy Pathology
Treatment
With supportive therapy horses may recover from hepatic encephalopathy after 4-21 days.
Prognosis
Prognosis depends 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.
References
- Knottenbelt, D.C. A Handbook of Equine Medicine for Final Year Students University of Liverpool
- Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial
- Rose, R. J. and Hodgson, D. R. (2000) Manual of Equine Practice (Second Edition) Sauders.