[Two cases of hepatoencephalopathia in the dog (author's transl)]

Two cases of congenital anomalies in the portal system in young dogs are described. Clinical findings such as poor general condition with chronic weight loss and failure to grow, signs of central nervous disease, are typical for the hepato-encephalopathy syndrome. Clinical and radiological examination revealed a small liver and in one dog large kidneys. Hematological data (hemoglobin, leukocytes and PCV) were normal but elevated bromosulphtalein retention was seen in both cases. Furthermore, low serumprotein, due to reduced albumin fraction, low urea-N and large amounts of ammoniumbiurate crystals in the urine are typical findings in portal anomalies with hepatoencephalopathy. In one dog hepatic insufficiency was due to a porta-cava shunt localized just outside the liver, and in the other dog an intrahepatic porta atresia was found with secondary fibrosis of the liver parenchyma. The liver was atrophic and the kidneys revealed chronic glomerulosclerosis. It is concluded that the clinical and pathological findings were results of vessel anomalies.