Liver disease and feeding

Extreme247

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16 August 2004
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Hi, My horse has recently been diagnosed with liver disease. Does anyone have any advice on what chaff is safe enough to feed ?

Thanks
 
Hi Extreme

To get you off on the right foot you want to minimise protein and oil - this is because protein and oil make the liver work hard in order to process it and you want to minimise the amount of work the liver is doing.

For chaff, something like Denigie Hi Fi Lite is ideal as it's very basic. You also want to ensure you feed a good level of vitamins and minerals to help support your horse while he/she is poorly - a lot of balancers do contain a higher level of protein so I'd suggest something really basic again with no "bells and whistles" - historically I've found the best to be Equivite Original which is a simple powder and easily mixed with chaff.

how is the horses weight and energy levels as if you need a low protein and oil energy source I can help to recommend something for you.

I worked as a nutritionist for several years a while back and always found this the most safe and effective way to feed a liver case.

Hope this helps . Good luck with the recovery Xx
 
Thank you BeingKate,

He's currently on fast fibre and safe and sound. Both should be low is pretty much everything. I read in a post that safe and sound isn't really the best thing to be feeding, so wanted some more advice. Weight/energy are ok at the moment, he's only in very light work while he's in recovery and treatment on going. I would just feed the fast fibre but he wont touch it if his medication is in it with out the chaff. Would safe and sound still be ok to keep feeding ?

Thank you again
 
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