Liver Desease - update

Crazy_Caz

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Some of you may remember I posted about 6 weeks ago about one of my horses being diagnosed with Liver Disease/damage.... after some rest and a change of diet we have now had the results of the 3rd blood test and the results have been brilliant.....

The liver is now back to normal and I am able to start riding my horse again.... vet has recommended a low protein diet to maintain the liver... but at the end of the day its good news....

She isnt sure what caused this in the first place possibly viral.... but as long as its maintained its all good.....

So happy can start riding again.....
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I have my mare on milk thistle, dodson & horrell do it. She had high liver enzymes when i got a blood sample taken and vet said it wouldnt do her any harm to keep her on it. Didnt get to read your original post, just read the update so dont know the full story so sorry if you already have her on it.
 
Brill news CC. I'd keep her on the low protein (but what protein she does have should be the highest possible quality) and Milk Thistle as a precaution. Be very very wary of ever giving her conditioning mixes or oil because these place high demands on the liver. Thank god it was a virus as ragwort damage is much more difficult to stabilize. Non-ragwort damaged livers can regenerate their processing capacity but ragwort damaged ones can't. Good luck for the future x
 
Thanks Box of Frogs.. your help and advice has been invaluable....am keeping to the low protein diet... will keep clear of the conditioning mixes and oils....

babybells... vet isnt sure what the cause was... but its good that we caught it in time......this horse means a lot to me.. I am so happy its a good outcome.... xxx
 
great news! thanks for the update. i remember the 1st time i could ride out again after my boy had liver disease, it was on my birthday - best present ever x
 
I always thought, if it was viral, the vet would be able to tell from antibodies (?) in the blood?

I understand there are many cases of liver damage being caused by a mycotoxin found in hay, straw and some cereals. Its a huge problem but not one that many vets or owners know about. Google mycotoxins, hay, horses etc for more info. Anyway, changing diet sounds like its working. What a relief for you and your horse.
 
My elderly mare has had 2 bouts of liver disease in the last 10 years one caused by ragwort, the other was viral. Am just interested in what you feed yours?
I feed mine Baileys Lo Cal Balancer, Hi Fi Light and unmolassed sugarbeet with haylage. If necessary I add some barley for extra condition/energy.
 
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