High level of Gamma GT

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Coopermum

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We have been searching for a first pony for my daughter for some time. We have a 14 yo pony on trial now, who has lived up to all our expectations and more. After a two stage vetting the vet pronounced her fit, pending routine blood test for liver/kidney function (due to her age). Sadly it has shown an extremely high level of enzyme Gamma GT (900). Her liver function is normal at the moment and she appears very well. Naturally we are devastated. Can a pony ever recover from this or is it a slippery slope? The trial period is now up but we have not yet bought her. I would like to give her a chance and at my suggestion am paying for the initial treatment for 1 month. The pony remains with us for the time being. Does anyone have any experience of a similar high count being lowered? Thanks
 
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So you have had a blood test and a liver function test? Dex had massive levels earlier this summer after being poisoned. He was diagnosed by a blood test- high gamma GT, followed by a liver function test- found bile in the blood. Then a liver ultrasound which showed problems with the offside lobe then 4 liver biopsies proved it was fibrosis- bad but partially reversible with management rather than cirrohsis- usually ragwort damage and irretrievable permanent damage.

Can you get Andy at Liphook to run the test- he was able to predict the path of Dex's illness plus prescribe treatments all based on a vial of blood sent up by my vet.

TBH i dont think i would purchase a horse with this sort of problem as it cost £2k to get Dex better and he will cost me around £80 a month in supplements for the rest of his life..You wont even be able to claim off the insurance like i can..
 
Unfortunately I have to agree that purchasing is not practical (daughter already distraught). Such a sad outcome from an otherwise perfect trial.
 
Darkly_Dreaming_Dex said:
So you have had a blood test and a liver function test? Dex had massive levels earlier this summer after being poisoned. He was diagnosed by a blood test- high gamma GT, followed by a liver function test- found bile in the blood. Then a liver ultrasound which showed problems with the offside lobe then 4 liver biopsies proved it was fibrosis- bad but partially reversible with management rather than cirrohsis- usually ragwort damage and irretrievable permanent damage.

Can you get Andy at Liphook to run the test- he was able to predict the path of Dex's illness plus prescribe treatments all based on a vial of blood sent up by my vet.

TBH i dont think i would purchase a horse with this sort of problem as it cost £2k to get Dex better and he will cost me around £80 a month in supplements for the rest of his life..You wont even be able to claim off the insurance like i can..
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That's good advice.

Do you know the liver function is ok - i.e. have bile acids been run? If not then the GGT will only tell you the liver in inflammed - may be fine, may not. Biopsies and scans are v helpful too, but get the bile acids done first!!
Liphook run external bloods sent to them and your vet can liaise with Andy Durham, or he/she could just ring for advice. Speak to your own vet first though....they may well have lots of ideas!!

Imogen
 
Coopermum said:
Thanks for comments. Bile Acids were normal.
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Thats one relief- i was told that the presence of Bile Acids meant liver failure rather than inflammation. Dex was finally diagnosed with Chronic Acute Hepatitis from the cores taken for the biopsy. He is on massive amounts of milk thistle- i get big sacks from D&H. He is also on Heptosyl tablets and Liver Function liquid.

I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do but it would be less heartbreak to walk away now than spend weeks watching an adored horse waste away :( Earlier this year,Dex spent 6 weeks almost on death row as if he had lost his "will to live" or started fitting then the vet would have PTS. It was hard to manage his skin that turned white with vitiligo, along with patches of hair falling out which then burned so i had to smother him with factor 50 daily. He then swelled up so badly that the skin split on his legs, his heart and lungs were stressed by the swelling and only massive quantities of steroids and furesamide brought it back under control. This was a VERY distressing period for me and my OH- we lost many nights sleep worrying and shed countless tears. Thankfully he fought it as hard as he could and was joyfully terrorising my sharer who rode him in the field last night.
 
Thanks again. If second blood test is same, she will go back to owner. Hopefully they will ensure this lovely pony doesn't suffer in future. Our quest for a first pony looks set to continue - with us a little sadder but wiser. Future candidates will all get blood test, whatever their circumstances.
 
If you do decide to give her a chance then I would discuss treating her for liver fluke with your vet as this is one relatively easily sorted possibility.
 
Thanks for that - sounds like Liver Fluke would be the lesser of many evils. We will check it out. This pony really deserves some luck. She is a wonderful girl who so far has behaved impeccably.
 
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