Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with brain problems from liver shunts and damage
By Shimada, A et al.Ā·Published in Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe AĀ·1992Ā·Department of Veterinary Pathology, JapanĀ·View original on PubMed ā
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Original publication title: Hepatic encephalopathy associated with acquired portosystemic shunts in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old dog was brought to the vet because it had been experiencing gastrointestinal issues and showing signs of neurological problems, such as confusion or disorientation. Blood tests showed high levels of ammonia, indicating a serious liver issue. After the dog passed away, a necropsy revealed liver damage and abnormal blood vessel connections that were causing the symptoms. The diagnosis was hepatic encephalopathy, a condition where the liver fails to remove toxins from the blood, affecting the brain. Unfortunately, the dog did not recover.
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Abstract
An 8-month-old dog with a history of gastrointestinal disturbances and neurological signs was presented with hyperammonemia. Necropsy revealed ascites, portosystemic collaterals, and an irregularly surfaced small liver. Histologically, there were diffuse neuronal necrosis and focal spongiform changes in the brain, and marked fibrosis in the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1455922/