MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT IN A PATIENT WITH HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY OF POSIBLE PORTOCAVAL ORIGEN

This article describes a case of a 3 month old female miniature schnauzer that exhibited excessive salivation, ataxia and disorientation after consuming puppy food. The physical examination revealed delayed growth for the puppy’s age, an altered mental status, and a behavior of pushing its head against the walls. Hematological tests revealed a five-fold increase in ALT and a three-fold increase in FA. Abdominal X-rays revealed microhepatica, confirmed by ultrasound. Portosistemic anastomosis was the presumptive diagnosis. Medical and dietary treatment resulted in a favorable clinical evolution.