Liver failure

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BBP

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10 days ago we lost our lovely companion pony to acute liver failure. Now her fieldmate has been blood tested and his liver function is not normal, one enzyme is 9 times higher than normal. Vet thinks possibly a bacterial cause. We are going to have the other 3 blood tested.
I wondered wheat other peoples experiences are as I know nothing about it. Obviously owner of the two affected ponies is panicing about her remaining horse as our minds are going to what happened to the pony.
 
Sorry to hear this and I'm sorry but I have no useful advice, other than move fields if possible in case it's a bacteria in the soil and consider changing the feed and hay.

My mare has had slightly raised GGT levels (one of the liver enzymes) for the last few years and we can't think of a possible cause. I keep her on milk thistle which is supposed to help.
 
We lost a Shetland pony to liver failure a few years ago,and none of the others were affected. We didn't have any others tested,as none showed symptoms.
We were never quite sure what caused it,lthough our vet at the time thought it may have been viral.
 
My cob had liver disease but got diagnosed that early it could be treated we have no idea how got it but he sttopped jumping like he could so had a blood test ran and come back with raised enzymes vet couldnt believe it as he looked fit and healthy
 
Thanks guys. I think owner was too shocked by the result to take on board the rest of what vet said so I'm just trying to get an idea of what its all about without quizzing her.
 
Last year my mare had an acute allergic reaction to barley which caused liver problems. We put her on milk thistle and a host of meds to deal with the main issues of the allergic response. Her liver function returned to normal fairly quickly...i hope they find the cause of yours..that's the main battle
 
Restore is a great liver tonic, it's by global herbs. Its often recomended by vets. I used it on a mare with liver damage with good results. I still use it now on my Cushing's pony.
 
Hi Kat,

Don't panic as yet. Liver enzymes can also be raised for reasons not directly related to the liver, such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus. I would ask if the vet can run a bilirubin test or another specific liver test (don't know if bile acid stimulation is possible in horses - you could ask!). Dietary issues can also cause raised liver enzymes as there is a direct blood supply from the gut to the liver, so check for any toxic plants. There is also the total blood cell count, which will help determine if the cause is viral or another infection. Hope that helps. x
 
Thank you. It's hard not to panic after losing the little one. We are religious about removing ragwort in pasture and hay fields, but littleun may have had access to it for the 16yrs before she came to my friend. Whatever this is may have pushed her over the edge of what her liver could cope with. The whole bunch get a strip if grass daily, plus our own hay, scoop of chaff/happy hoof and some get suppliments. The fields were very wet over winter ibut mine on other side of the road were much worse than hers. Big lad is going in for liver biopsy tomorrow.
 
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