Metabolic encephalopathy associated with uraemic syndrome and hyperammonaemia in a horse presenting with renal failure

A 3-year-old racing Arabian mare was admitted to the hospital with a 5-day history of muscle pain, lethargy and anorexia. The mare arrived at the hospital with marked neurological abnormalities, dehydration and melaena. Investigation revealed severe azotaemia, acute renal failure, hyperammonaemia and evidence of recent myopathy. Therapeutic objectives were the correction of fluid deficiencies and restoration of normal renal function and urine production. The mare responded rapidly to treatment and was discharged after 12 days, before going on to race the following year. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of survival of a case of acute renal failure with metabolic encephalopathy associated with hyperammonaemia and uraemic syndrome in the horse. Additionally, the case had symptoms of GI disease consistent with uraemic damage to the intestine.