Hyponatraemic encephalopathy in azotaemic neonatal foals: four cases.

The study is about the investigation of four foals in a span of two years (2011-2012) that experienced neurological complications, later found to be linked to acute hyponatraemia (low sodium) and azotaemia (high nitrogen compounds in the blood) conditions. Following sodium supplementation, the neurological symptoms appeared to be managed, although issues related to azotaemia persisted, indicating potential kidney failure.

Case Overview

• The research revolves around four young horses (foals), observed from 2011 to 2012, that showcased aimless wandering, head pressing, ‘chewing gum seizures’, and imbalance.
• All four foals were found to have a neurological lesion that agreed with an increase in intracranial pressure.
• During the period of study, three out of four foals were diagnosed with hyponatraemia (a condition characterized by low sodium concentration in the blood) and azotaemia (a state in which nitrogen containing compounds are abnormally high in the blood).
• The fourth foal showed similar symptoms and required prolonged sodium supplementation, indicating a persistent hyponatraemia condition.

Treatment and Outcome

• Three out of four foals survived and were discharged from the hospital after their sodium levels were rectified which led to the removal of the neurological signs.
• The foal that failed to survive was euthanized due to anuric renal failure (a state of kidney failure where little to no urine output is observed).
• One of the three surviving foals was later euthanized as well due to the detection of septic osteomyelitis (a type of bone infection) that occurred two weeks after the initial discharge.

Conclusions

• Rectifying the sodium deficit in foals led to the resolution of their neurological signs, making sodium supplementation an effective treatment in these reported cases.
• However, the persistence of azotaemia symptoms in the foals suggest that they had been subject to an acute renal failure. This highlights a need for further research and awareness about this complication related to neonatal foals.