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==Description==  
 
==Description==  
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.   
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'''Hepatic encephalopathy''' is neurological disfunction caused by any acute or severe hepatic damage; 60-80% of hepatic function must be lost before clinical signs develop. A combination of mechanisms is probably responsible for the syndrome.   
    
==Signalment==
 
==Signalment==
 
No age, sex or breed predisposions.
 
No age, sex or breed predisposions.
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There are many hepatic disorders which can lead to hepatic encephalopathy including, [[Hepatitis, Equine Serum|Hepatitis]], [[Ragwort Toxicity]], [[Tyzzer's Disease]] and [[Hyperlipaemia - Horse|Hyperlipaemia]]
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There are many hepatic disorders which can lead to hepatic encephalopathy including, '''[[Hepatitis, Equine Serum|Hepatitis]], [[Ragwort Toxicity]], [[Tyzzer's Disease]]''' and '''[[Hyperlipaemia - Horse|Hyperlipaemia]]'''
    
==Diagnosis==
 
==Diagnosis==
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===Laboratory Tests===
 
===Laboratory Tests===
Haemotology and Biochemistry blood results will be consistent with hepatic disease,
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Haemotology and Biochemistry results will be consistent with hepatic disease,
 
Increased GGT, SDH
 
Increased GGT, SDH
 
Hypoalbuminaemia
 
Hypoalbuminaemia
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With supportive therapy horses may recover from hepatic encephalopathy after 4-21 days. Treatment is only warranted   
 
With supportive therapy horses may recover from hepatic encephalopathy after 4-21 days. Treatment is only warranted   
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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.   
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'''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 immediate '''euthansia''' is indicated.   
 
    
 
    
    
==Prognosis==
 
==Prognosis==
Prognosis is poor to severe but depend on the underlying disease; signs are potentially reversible if the initiating course can be corrected.  
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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.
  
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