Hepatic Encephalopathy
Abnormal liver function or shunting causes neurotoxins (GABA, aromatic amino acids, mercaptans, ammonia, skatoles) to reach the brain through general circulation causing brain dysfunction.
Age of Onset: Less than 2 years of age
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course: Clinical signs progress over time.
In a subset of dogs, clinical signs may be episodic with increased severity during the post-prandial period
In a subset of dogs, clinical signs may be episodic with increased severity during the post-prandial period
Clinical Signs:
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
*Mentation changes
Seizures
*Lethargy/Depression
Compulsive pacing/circling
Head pressing
Movement
Ataxia
Slight hypermetria
Slight hypertonia
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
*Episodic central blindness
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Gastrointestinal (anorexia, diarrhea, melena, vomiting, ptyalism)
Urinary (Hematuria, *polyuria/polydypsia, stranguria)
Behavioral/Mental Awareness
*Mentation changes
Seizures
*Lethargy/Depression
Compulsive pacing/circling
Head pressing
Movement
Ataxia
Slight hypermetria
Slight hypertonia
Proprioception
Proprioceptive deficits
Cranial Nerves
*Episodic central blindness
Nystagmus
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Gastrointestinal (anorexia, diarrhea, melena, vomiting, ptyalism)
Urinary (Hematuria, *polyuria/polydypsia, stranguria)
Intracranial- metabolic
Unknown
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