Feeding a horse with liver disease

[Phillamena]

My mare has just had blood results back stating she has a degree of hepatitis, we are awaiting further results to show the extent of it. In the meantime the vet told me to feed her a low protein diet and that the Alfa A Oil she is currently on would be fine but to cut out the topline cubes (she had been losing condition hence these feeds but now I know why!)
I thought Alfalfa was high in protein and was thinking more along the lines of HiFi and unmollased SB.
Can't speak to vet until tomorrow so would love some advice from you knowledgeable people

 

[gothdolly]

I have been doing some reading around this and Im suprised your vet said Alflalfa oil was OK - as everything I have read says go for low protein and low oil. Something like hifibre cubes plus unmollased sugar beet plus milk thistle and yea sacc is usually recommended. Although you do have to provide them with some good quality protein... I guess you will have to try her with the diet your vet recommended and see if she picks up weight?

Sorry to hear your mare is ill I hope she recovers soon.

 

[kellyeaton]

i had a horse with liver diease and yes alfa is high in protin what ever you feed her the protin level has to be below 10% the oil has to be low other wise you are asking the liver to work more to break it down and if it is under stress at the moment you dont want to put it under any more,high fibre is good and put her on a herb called milk thistle help will help boost the liver and any thing with b vits in will help the hind gut digest the food eaier.

 

[iconique]

We've recently just got the all clear. One of my mares last November collapsed on the road while out riding, she had an infection causing liver problems. We still don't know what caused it but on instruction from our vet, a vet from the RVC and guidance from spillers, we have got through it.

I phoned spillers who suggested their happy hoof and feeding flaked maize (not something they produce but giving her calories). (I was told as little protein as possible to give the best chance) We used hepaticil sp? which contains milk thistle and we also used ainsworths pharmacy to perscribe homeopathic drugs. We also gave vitamins to suppliment her diet.

We got very desperate at one stage as we thought we were going to loose her, but despite the feeding, antibiotics for 6 months and probiotics to help her with the antibiotics.

Its a long and slow process, but it is intersting to see the scans to look at the liver and bile ducts, we still have a lovely large rectangle that is finally starting to blend in on her side!! (not very attractive!) fotunately even though she has just turned 20, the NFU have paid for most of it.

I hope that they can help your horse

 

[Phillamena]

Thanks for all your replies. I have gone with my gut instinct and what I have found from reading everything I can get my hands on! She is now on Hi Fi, High Fibre cubes and SB and is eating well. I was also sold a supplement by the vets call Remount http://www.ronfieldsnutrition.co.uk/horsesremount1.htm
Having looked it up it seems more like a general purpose supplement for anything from cracked heels to ulcers so am a bit sceptical and again instinct tells me milk thistle would be more beneficial so will add that to her cocktail of supplements!
Will know more on monday after bile acid results are back.

 

[kellyeaton]

i have not heard of remont. Restore is good that is from global herbs that is a tonic for the liver but that has no milk thistle in but ragaid does and that is global herbs as well. to help with liver bile mint is good!x

 

[Phillamena]

Thanks Babybells. Bile Acid results came back today and they are normal which is great as the liver is functioning properly but still don't know why the other results (GGT etc) are so high

 

[kellyeaton]

gamma gamma gt is the best result to know anything about the liver if it is working or not. but if i remember rightly when my girl had liver diease her ggt was rasied and a few otheres but the liver bile and acids were fine!