Hepatic encephalopathy associated with chronic facial eczema

Abstract

Two cows and a ram with severe chronic facial eczema showed nervous signs and histological changes characteristic of hepatic encephalopathy. Clinical signs included dullness and depression, progressing to lateral recumbency with tremor of limbs. Histologically, there was widespread spongy vacuolation of the brain. Hepatic encephalopathy associated with chronic facial eczema may be more common than is currently recognised in sheep and cattle in the North Island of New Zealand.