Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition in which the inability of your dog’s liver to function properly leads to neurological changes within your dog.

Hepatic encephalopathy can lead to sudden aggression and other behavioral changes in your dog including compulsive circling and pacing as well as changes in eating habits. It can also cause staggering, sudden blindness, tremors, seizures or even comas. The symptoms will generally be most apparent soon after your dog has finished eating, especially if the meal had high-protein content. 

Any condition or disease that leads to severe liver insufficiency can cause hepatic encephalopathy because, when the liver can no longer filter toxins out of the bloodstream, these toxins build up and disrupt normal brain function.

A clinical history and physical examination, including blood work, bile acid tests and a urinalysis, can assist in diagnosing hepatic encephalopathy. A biopsy and diagnostic imaging techniques, such as X-rays, an ultrasound and MRIs, may be required to identify the underlying cause.

The underlying liver condition should be treated. If liver function cannot be normalized, hepatic encephalopathy can be treated with special diets, antibiotics, motility drug and laxatives.

Prevention of the underlying condition causing the liver abnormality will prevent hepatic encephalopathy. The medications used to treat hepatic encephalopathy can prevent the neurological signs from occurring.

No, you cannot contract hepatic encephalopathy from your dog.