Hepatic Encephalopathy - Horse

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

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.