horse with liver disease. can anyone help?

[orin]

i have a 5yo sec c x vanner mare and about 5 months ago she was diagnosed with liver disease. i originally called the vet out with what they thought was a severe mud fever on her stomach and down her legs. they blood tested her and it turned out to be her liver. she was taken to the vets an a liver biopsy was done and she returned home with anti biotics, a supplement to go in her feed and insrtucyions to be trict with what she is fed etc. she then had another blood test which came back fine.

last weekend i called the vet back out as pony seemed poorly. the vet found she has a respiratory infection and took more bloods. bloods have come back with results sayig the liver is worse than it ever has been.
my vet has been spaking to a specialist at liphook and they have decided to do a biopsy from both the left and the right hand side on the liver and go from there. she is having that done tomorrow. but there is an increased risk as she bled last time as the liver is affecting her blood clotting.

does anyone else have any experience with a pony with liver problems? any help is appreciated!

 

[flowerlady]

I don't I'm afraid Orin but I hope they can sort it out.

I'm sure someone on her may have had this problem or be able to help a little.

Good luck tomorrow

 

[hellybelly6]

For liver disease, a low protein diet should be fed with plenty of fibre. Milk Thistle is very good for supporting the liver.

Sun burn is a risk in horses with liver impairment.

Is there anything in her field she might have eaten to cause this?

 

[orin]

thanks guys,

she was on milk thistle but i stopped giving it to her. she wears a fly rug etc.

nothing in out field for her to have eaten but may have with previous owner

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Orin - if you do a search on all my posts you will find a ton of information on my rescued mare. I'll recap but it always comes out long.

Angel is a rescued coloured gipsy cob. She came to me as close to death as it is possible for a horse to be and still survive. She had been observed in a field bare of grass and covered in the yellow of mature ragwort. She had recently lost her foal in a tragic accident so had untreated mastitis as well as terrible sunburn on her face and ragwort poisoning. She was extremely emaciated and barely able to walk. Bloods were immediately taken and the results were so poor that the vets recommended immediate euthanasia on humane grounds. However, she had perked up in the few days I'd had her so I decided to try to save her. I was put in touch with Professor Derek Knottenbelt who is a world expert on ragwort poisoning in horses, at Liverpool University (Liphook). The man is a saint and took the time from his busy schedule to give me a huge amount of information and advice on all aspects of ragwort poisoning and how best to help Angel. The following is a summary:

Ragwort poisoning is cumulative so may have been eaten a long time before. Ragwort is extremely toxic as it contains plant alkaloids that damage the liver. Ragwort damaged livers cannot regenerate. Up to 70% of liver function can be permanently lost before the signs of ragwort poisoning are observed. When over 76% function is lost, the disease is fatal. The symptoms of ragwort poisoning include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of interest in life, bloated abdomen from fluid retention, extreme photosensitivity (Angel looked as though she had pushed her face into a bonfire), standing in corners pressing the head against a wall, abnormal behaviour, inability of the blood to clot properly, jaundice, blindness, self harm and (occasionally) harm to the owner. The end stage symptoms can be very distressing. If the horse still has enough liver function to survive, the liver can be supported by feeding a LOW protein diet, what protein is fed must be of the highest quality, NO oil, ever, Yea Sac to support hind gut digestion and to act as a mild appetite stimulant and Milk Thistle which has anecdotally been found to support liver function. The Prof said not to waste money on more and more veterinary procedures as the results would not have changed my determination to help Angel. He said she would let me know if she had had enough. He put me in touch with D&H chief nutritionist Dr Holland who worked up a tailored diet for Angel.

Back to Angel: when my vets realised she had perked up a little from a good diet, being kept out of the sun, having her mastitis treated and generally being wrapped in total tlc, they decided to try what I refer to as a liver flush as I can't remember the procedure's proper name. As a standing and unsedated procedure, they made a cut into the vein in her neck and over 2 hours dripped directly into this vein a gallon bag of antioxidants and minerals. This would have gone straight to her liver where it would have "mopped up" any remaining circulating toxins. There was a scary moment when the needle was withdrawn as the wound would not clot. Two weeks after, we repeated the blood tests and to my huge delight and total disbelief, they were almost within the normal range. I have strictly maintained Angel's diet and summer management but she has no other special care other than the usual stuff that makes horses happy, ie full belly, company, routine. After 18 months, she was so well that I sent her to a trusted trainer for backing and she is now a happy, healthy riding horse with enough remaining liver function to be fully vet insured and to be treated as a horse rather than as an invalid.

All I can suggest is that you are aware of what is happening inside your mare. You could e-mail the Prof directly - he tries to help any individual owners that he can - as I said, the man's a saint. I would take advice from him on the further biopsy as it is highly invasive and if your mare is already struggling with poor blood clotting, it may be more trouble than it is worth. I would immediately start bringing her in during the day and even when she does go out in the summer, she should be smothered in total sunblock and/or a face mask with muzzle protector. Angel's basic diet is D&H Alfalfa, speedibeet, D&H pasture mix, Yea Sac and Milk Thistle, plus normal forage of grass or haylage, depending on the time of year. As a tough-as-nails native, she can put weight on just by being shown a blade of grass so I have to watch her weight. I spoke to the Prof again after she was backed last September and he said just continue doing what is clearly working and - as before - she will tell you if ever she's had enough.

It could be that your mare has just about enough remaining liver to get by on a normal day, but she has no spare capacity to cope with anything more. I have everything crossed that she can be saved but Orin hun, you may have to be brave and watch for signs that she's had enough and know when to give her the gift of freedom from misery and pain.

PM me if I can help any more, even if it's just to talk xxxxx Barb

 

[orin]

thankyou so much for your replys.

she is currently just fed on chaff no mixes etc as vet told me not to. she is covered ibn the sun but will add sunblock as well.
it is liphook who advised with another biopsy apparently a world specialist so may be same person?
she is having the op today so wish her luck. been up nearly all night. i love her to pieces but i know the risks and would never let her suffer. it just makes it worse as she is only 5yo :-(

 

[moralcampaigner]

Good luck to you and your neddie. When my lad had liver damage I gave him hifi lite, baileys pony nuts, loads of garlic and celery!
The vet said nothing with protien in it and nothing with oil. Year later and he is fighting fit, he was 20 at the time!
Keep us posted. Thoughts to you both. X

 

[kellyeaton]

if you need any info pm me and i will help in any form or way i lost my girl to this but i can tell you signs you need to be looking for and all meds and supplements witch are good for the liver!

 

[gothdolly]

Good luck with your horse ((HUGS))