Chronic Hepatitus C - advice needed!

[San321]

I have recently discovered that a mare I loaned to use as a brood mare has chronic hepititus C. She was fit throughout the pregnancy (and swabbed prior to going to stud) After foaling, she appeared fine but had not passed any droppings in the first 24hrs and was jaundiced, a vet was called and although she did not appear distressed or had a temperature or any other outward symptoms, he suggested she may have some internal damage or a kind of toxic shock, She was treated as such and showed a continued although slow improvement. We continued to bloodtest her monthly for the next 6 months prior to her return to her owner. I was very dissappointed not to get a 'normal' result at any time as her liver continued to show abnormalities - she still showed no outward signs of illness. On her return to her owner it was suggested a biopsy was done to determine what was wrong with the liver. This has shown chronic hep C. As this has happened over the Christmas period I have been unable to establish what implications this has for the foal who is now 8 months old. Can anyone please help or tell me of their own experience? We have no idea where or how the mare contracted hep C, possibly the stud? My foal is showing no signs of illness, he is fairly quiet but has been very well handled and is generally well mannered but now I am concerned this is due to illness not good behaviour. I am concerned about opening a can or worms with the vet due to the long term insurance implications for him. Any advice would be welcomed. Thanks

 

[PennyJ]

From the human point of view, I had to go back to the maternity hospital a few years later and have a test done for this, it turned out that one of the staff assisting at the C section later went down with HepC and there was a recall of all those who had come into contact over a certain period.

So... what were the opportunities for blood to blood contact with your mare?

 

[lizzieuk1]

well i think there is a small chance the hcv can be transmitted in utero but it is quite small, and again with milk transfer, the mare may well have contracted the hcv way before going to stud and may even have had it for years, the disease is very slow to progress hence the chronic part, quite often there are no signs of illness until it is well advanced or in this case the body undergoes a stressful process ie pregnancy. the foal part is difficult as i say it is unlikely it has contracted the hcv from the mare but can't be ruled out and only way to tell is via bloods or a biopsy it would seem unfair not to test though as since you're aware of the mares infection there is a chance it is infected and any future sale should be considered on this info. and also if he is infected there may be a need to treat him. sorry its not great news but hope it helps

 

[San321]

Thanks for this. I have spoken with my vets and they are going to blood test the foal, although I understand they cannot diagnose conclusively from bloods but if a liver abnormality is shown they will do a biopsy. The foal was a long considered plan as he is the grandsonof the horse I have competed and enjoyed for several years, so the plan was a life plan and he will stay with me regardless of the outcome! I have been disturbed by the lack of information I could find and, so far, the vague response from my veterinary practice! I hope to have my information once I have had the vet 'on the spot'
many thanks