title: Hepatic Encephalopathy.
abstract: This article reviews hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in companion animals. Clinical signs and categories of hepatic disease likely to cause HE are discussed. Ammonia has a key role in pathogenesis and current concepts in body ammonia metabolism are reviewed. Inflammation and manganese accumulation are also thought to be important in pathogenesis. Treatment of HE in acute and chronic cases is discussed along with the rationale for current treatment recommendations. Potential avenues for new treatments and human treatments, which may be transferable to companion animals, are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, Scotland. Electronic address: adam.gow@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Adam G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Gow
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008345:Manganese / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008345:Manganese; D000641:Ammonia
keywords: Ammonia; Inflammation; Manganese; Neurotransmitter; Portosystemic shunting