Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

• Complex pathophysiologic state with a multifactorial origin
• Ammonia as the putative neurotoxin with or without other synergistic toxins;
• Alteration in monoamine or catecholamine neurotransmitters as a result of perturbed aromatic amino acid metabolism;
• Alteration in amino acid neurotransmitters, GABA, and/or glutamate; increased cerebral levels of an endogenous benzodiazepine-like substance

• PSVA—usually in purebred dogs;

• PSVA—usually young dogs

• Acquired liver disease resulting in acquired portosystemic shunting—dogs and cats of any age