Blood test results and now also lame where will it end!

[ru-fi-do]

Following on from my post a couple of weeks ago when my girl had some blood tests done and her liver enzymes came back high at 198, ideal level is 60. The vet came out to re take them yesterday and give her a general check as she has been quite stiff on her off hind. The good news is that her enzymes have come down to 108 so she will be tested again in a couple of weeks to make sure they are still falling. If not they want to look into it further, vet has advised to feed milk thistle and a b vitamin supplement, if anyone can recommend one would appreciate it. The bad news is she is lame on her off hind but for no apparent reason, this has been on and off for the past month now. The vet thinks she may have arthritis or maybe pulled her suspensory ligament

. She is not obviously lame but to the people that know her and how she goes you can notice it she doesn't quite follow through. She has got to go in and have scans, x rays and nerve blocks next Thursday now to see what they can find. It just seems to be one thing after the other we just don't seem to be able to get going! At least we have found it at early stages and hopefully it will be something that can be treated. Please send good vibes my way!

 

[Blizzard]

Sending good vibes.

I hope she gets better soon.

 

[fairhill]

Your poor horse (and you). I'm sending her good vibes. I
had a horse who had severe liver problems and high enzyme levels, but I'm afraid it was about 10 years ago, and I can't really remember how we treated it.
Regarding milk thistle, I know you can get it from Holland and Barrett as capsules/powder (OH had raised liver enzymes just before xmas so he got some in bulk).
NAF make a tincture as well you could add to her feed:
http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/cortaflex/Milk_Thistle.htm
Liver is very good at repairing itself so it sounds like she's on the right track (aside from her poorly leg)

 

[wizgirl]

sounds like my boy. He had milk thistle from holland and barrett and i also used global herbs restore and immuplus. Both are excellent and global herbs have a vets help line who can dicuss which is best. The vets though my boy had metabolic syndrome due to his liver function, which has the liver symptoms and the lameness. He hasnt though and has really started improve. Can't tell you how good global herbs helpine was though so give them a call.

Hope all goes well

 

[ru-fi-do]

Thanks wiz girl. She has been on restore since christmas eve, my instructor is an agent for Global and Hilton so tha helps! TBH i don't know anything about metabolic syndrome so going to go away and have a little read about it! Glad your boy is getting better

 

[wizgirl]

Quite a lot of stuff on these forums over the last few months and new post re recoving horse on too. How is you horse now?

 

[ru-fi-do]

Hi wizgirl, she seems to be very stiff atm, she is booked in to go to the vets on 23rd Jan, but if she is stiff this morning when i go up i'm going to see about getting her in sooner. The problem is I haven't got my own transport atm so i have to rely on my friend, also she has got an new extra large Richardson trailer that she fit's in! My other friend has a Ifor 505 and she doesn't fit in that so i'm a bit stuck really. Going to see if i can borrow one of my friends and one of the trailers! Just want to get to the root of the problem now so we can start treating it.

 

[wizgirl]

Best to get it sorted out. Wiz went to Leahurst, who did every test under the sun. hence his final diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and not equine metabolic syndrome as first thought. Leahurst have also offered great follow up and I have been aboe to call them since and dicuss other symptoms and his latest bloods to get piece of mind. Luckily covered by NFU as to date cost over £2000 to get him sorted. However, all worth it as now I know what we are actually fighting and not doing the trail and error. Is your vet a horse specialist?

 

[ru-fi-do]

Yes she is a horse specialist, she has worked with many race yards and eventers. http://www.scarsdalevets.com/. I have the same vet all the time and TBH i wouldn't use the others as i know how good and thorough she is. When Shannon goes in they are keeping an open mind and going to test everything! Spoke to the vet yesterday as she was quite stiff, i wondered if she should have any pain relief but at the moment they want to try and not use any due to her liver. She is mving into a biggersatble today as the one she is in at the moment is quite small for her, she is a big girl, in the new one she will be able to walk round rather than just turn round. What symptons did your horse show for chronic brochitis? x

 

[wizgirl]

Difficult really, as vets think wiz had an infection first and developed the bronchitis as a secondary, so not sure which was which and he didn't show conventional signs. He did seem to have high respirations, wasn't himself and seemed very depressed. Had very scurfy skin, wanted to eat constantly and was drinking loads. Liver function very abnormal, cresty neck. Odd cough, but nothing major. He also had fluid in his tummy, which made it look really round (was also overweight, but had been on box rest for 6 weeks).

I only really got info re bronchitis when he went to Leahurst and they scoped him and found loads of mucus. Scaned his liver and tested for metabolic syndrome and all was clear. Initailly showed all the symptoms of metabolic except for being lame. Felt that raised liver enzymes was due to severity of infection. In fact had more bloods this week and though improved not normal, so spoke to Leahurst today who are going to look at this and call with info and any additonal actions to take. Wiz remains on immuplus, iron aid,restore, milk thistle and linseed for skin. Just also brought a multi vitamin as Wiz has to live out at present on vets instructions due to bronchitis. Also on a diet to loose weight so on limted hay and no hard feed, hence all vits.

I know how you must feel, you love these boys so much and when ill and can't get to bottom of it it is a real worry. I did'nt stop crying for over 2 weeks as so worried it would be bad news - liver faliure metioned at one stage.

Still upsetting as like today info not as I really wanted to hear. Keep me updated and I hope all goes well