Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Putative uremic encephalopathy in horses: five cases (1978-1998).
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Frye, M A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at five horses that had kidney failure and showed signs of neurological problems that couldn't be explained by other health issues. The researchers reviewed medical records from 1978 to 1998 and found that these horses had chronic kidney disease, which is a long-term condition where the kidneys don't work properly. In four of the horses that were examined after they died, they found swollen brain cells, which might be a sign of a condition called uremic encephalopathy (brain problems caused by kidney failure). While there wasn't a single clear sign that pointed to this condition, the study suggests that if a horse has kidney failure and neurological symptoms, uremic encephalopathy should be considered as a possible cause. Overall, the findings indicate that the treatment and understanding of this condition in horses is still developing.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine historical, physical examination, clinicopathologic, and postmortem findings in horses with putative uremic encephalopathy. Design-Retrospective study. Animals-5 horses with renal failure and neurologic disease not attributable to abnormalities in any other organ system. PROCEDURE: Medical records from 1978 to 1998 were examined for horses with renal disease and neurologic signs not attributable to primary neurologic, hepatic, or other diseases. Signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, renal ultrasonographic findings, and postmortem data were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 332 horses with renal disease, 5 met selection criteria. Historical findings, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, ultrasonographic data, and postmortem findings were consistent with chronic renal failure. Swollen astrocytes were detected in all 4 horses examined at necropsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A single criterion was not determined to be pathognomonic for uremic encephalopathy in horses. Uremic encephalopathy should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with evidence of chronic renal failure and encephalopathic neurologic sign not attributable to other causes. Astrocyte swelling, which was common to all 4 horses examined at necropsy, may serve as a microscopic indicator of uremic encephalopathy in horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11229510/