Liver Dmage

[BarbaraC]

My daughter's horse developed photosensitivity on his legs last summer. Numerous bloodtests and 3 liver biopsies later we are still not very far forward! There was a slight infection which has been treated and no evidence of any obvious toxins. Yes , there was some liver damage though the liver is functioning ok. After having stabled him for several weeks the liver enzymes in the blood (caused by dying liver cells) had vanished. After having been back in the field these enzymes are again present. This suggests it is possibly something he is eating in the field, but we have been all over the field and found nothing definite and with 6 acres of grass he is unlikely to be eating anything toxic on a regulat basis anyway. We had that field weedkilled 12 months ago and cut for hay in September, so the problem started on another paddock that has not been sparyed for several years.
We are struggling now! Does anyone have any ideas. We are in the Walsall/Streetly areas (west Midlands). Maybe something in the soil itself? We would not have been aware of a problem if he had not developed the sores on his leg as otherwise he is fighting fit.
Thanks

 

[kellyeaton]

grass sickness Do you no is background any change of ragwort poisiopning? what is condition and tempermant like? if you have any problems you have with his liver put him on milk thistle! What have the vets said what is his gamma gamma gt level like on his bloods?

 

[ha903070]

I believe that some liver damage does not always show up until years after a horse has eaten something like ragwort - hence it may not be something the horse is eating now.

Pony on our yard had exactly same problems for last year and had to be stabled every day in summer only out at night due to photosensitivity. Owner thought it was the field she was in but this wasnot the case and it turns out it was likely to have been damage done years ago when horse was at a yard with poor pasture management and no ragwort control.

 

[gothdolly]

Im sorry, I cant think of anything except to say that yes, like other posters, I have read that the effects of toxins and damage to the liver can show up years later.

Have you seen those UV protective leg wraps that you can buy for photosensitive horses?

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

The most common cause of liver damage in a horse is ragwort poisoning.
As other have posted it may not show up for a number of years!
where did you purchase him from etc? did you check the yard there when you were buying him?

Also what weedkiller was used on the pasture? cause it may be worth checking health and safety information on that, as that could also be causing problems.......

 

[imafluffybunny]

As other posters have said, the photo sensitivy can be caused years after the poisoning, get the horse a full uv rug, face mask etc and if possible keep in during the day and out at night.
Is the horse grey or coloured by any chance?

 

[Nuttymanxmare]

My mares legs developed terrible photosensitivity along with her face last year. I had bloods done but they came back clear so we treated her with a v strong steriod cream.

Unfortunatly she went down hill rapidly with her legs this summer as hey flared up again and eventually she stopped eating, drinking ect ect to the point she just gave up. last Tuesday night she was PTS.

he vet is adament its LD as she develped jaundice and took bloods but these were cancelled after she was PTS as they would of just confirmed what was known.

All I can say is please, please try every avenue possible. my vet was fantastic however the LD must of been dormant in her system and evetually the toxins got to her.

 

[280478]

hi georgina
its such a shame thta this wasn't more promenant in coco or that the vets consider it,
its a shame we know this now but it does explain the rapid downhill progress and the legs etc.
il sp[eak to yard as they had ragwort in there field last yr.we just dont know how long she had been suffering from the toxin or where she ate it.


r.i.p angel x

 

[280478]

milk thistle suppliment is a good tonic for liver damage or liver problems/ sold at most health shops or fruit markets

 

[BarbaraC]

Hi everyone - thanks for your comments. We'll try milk thistle, but we're still trying to identify what he is currently eating that's attacking his liver.