Putative uremic encephalopathy in horses: five cases (1978-1998).
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.


METHODS
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
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.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523-1620, USA.
M A
MA
Frye
J S
JS
Johnson
J L
JL
Traub-Dargatz
C J
CJ
Savage
M J
MJ
Fettman
D H
DH
Gould
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014511:Uremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*