Switchthehorse
Well-Known Member
Interested in peoples thoughts.
Quick summary - mare had hepatitis quite badly last year. Was told it was probably curtains, she lost approx 50% of her liver but gradually with lots of TLC, supplements, about 6 months of antibiotics and and time and great vet care she got better, to the point where her bloods were normal... she was better than ever and I was back riding etc - she was formally given the all clear.
Fast forward about 9 months - her bloods are back up - i noticed some symptoms and asked for a test - vet had previously said she wouldn't get it again.. but i knew she wasn't 'right'. No sign of infection - white cells are all normal. So assume something she is eating or the increased work load has caused this and her liver has been overloaded/can't cope. Vet wants to do a scan and biopsy.
My instinct is to wait a month, put her back on all supplements etc, stop working her, cut her food right back and see what happens with bloods before doing biopsy. Numerous reasons - the risk, the fact my insurance has finished for hep and so its all out of my pocket, the inconvenience for her of box rest etc and also I understand biopsies are kind of pot luck in that you might just get all healthy bits and that won't tell us anything...
She did have a biopsy before - and basically the only feedback i got was yep its hepatitis!!
Any ideas? Thoughts? Hoping it is just a blip because she has been nicking next doors haylage and actually back to a normal diet she will go back to normal again!!
Thanks in advance
Quick summary - mare had hepatitis quite badly last year. Was told it was probably curtains, she lost approx 50% of her liver but gradually with lots of TLC, supplements, about 6 months of antibiotics and and time and great vet care she got better, to the point where her bloods were normal... she was better than ever and I was back riding etc - she was formally given the all clear.
Fast forward about 9 months - her bloods are back up - i noticed some symptoms and asked for a test - vet had previously said she wouldn't get it again.. but i knew she wasn't 'right'. No sign of infection - white cells are all normal. So assume something she is eating or the increased work load has caused this and her liver has been overloaded/can't cope. Vet wants to do a scan and biopsy.
My instinct is to wait a month, put her back on all supplements etc, stop working her, cut her food right back and see what happens with bloods before doing biopsy. Numerous reasons - the risk, the fact my insurance has finished for hep and so its all out of my pocket, the inconvenience for her of box rest etc and also I understand biopsies are kind of pot luck in that you might just get all healthy bits and that won't tell us anything...
She did have a biopsy before - and basically the only feedback i got was yep its hepatitis!!
Any ideas? Thoughts? Hoping it is just a blip because she has been nicking next doors haylage and actually back to a normal diet she will go back to normal again!!
Thanks in advance