Liver desease?

[Holly831]

My old boy ( a very fit and usualy healthy 19 year old) came in last night with a very swollen sheath and a plate swelling under his belly. He is very uncomfortable in him self. Still has his usual appetite etc athough he keeps 'kicking' at his belly.

Called the vet out this morning as I am just not happy with him ( no temp or any other symptoms etc) and she thinks he may have a liver problem as he is yellowish on his gums and his eyes.

Now I am panicking, she will phone later with the blood test results but I was wondering if anyone else had a horse with liver problems? I am scared that it is very serious (cos it sounds it!)

Thanks

 

[iconique]

My then 18 year old mare collapsed with me riding her on the road, Nov 2008, she is now fit and healthy again.

It really depends on what has caused the liver problem, ours wasn't ragwort and the liver hadn't gone too far so we managed with antibiotics, milk thistle and a low protein diet (one of the biggest factors) to get her back to health.

It can be serious, but don't panic yet, you just need to find out if it is ragwort or not and then follow the vet's advice, there have been lots of posting (good and bad) on here about it.