Shetland Staggering and inflamed liver

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Ashley123

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Hi, my 8 year old shetland presented several weeks ago as having slight forehand lameness, due to his weight he was suspected and treated for laminitis as he was beginning to stretch in his stance. However within the last week he began to become lethargic and very feely on his front feet. I brought my farrier out and he confirmed there was no laminitis. However on Saturday morning he came out of his stable staggering with his back legs falling to the left as though he had no control of them. I got my vet out who confirmed it wasn't wobblers however his liver was very inflamed. My vet suspects it is a condition causing his liver to be big however this does not explain the staggering. I am very concerned as he is a litter brighter today but he is still staggering around. I have thought perhaps raggwort poisining however I can not see where he would have got it from and I have never experienced it before.

If any one has any advice or ideas of what this maybe that would be brilliant!
Thank you!
 
Hi Ashley the fact that you have a Shetland with a inflamed liver can you ask your vet about HYPERLIPAEMA Shetlands are prone to it ,blood tests are needed to diagnose , the earlier this is treated the better. I sadly lost my lovely mini as the vet failed to diagnose Hyperlipaemia . Hopefully your Shetland has not got it ,but it may be useful for you to be aware of it.
 
shergar said:
Hi Ashley the fact that you have a Shetland with a inflamed liver can you ask your vet about HYPERLIPAEMA Shetlands are prone to it ,blood tests are needed to diagnose , the earlier this is treated the better. I sadly lost my lovely mini as the vet failed to diagnose Hyperlipaemia . Hopefully your Shetland has not got it ,but it may be useful for you to be aware of it.
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Hi, my vet suspected this and so he took a blood sample to test. However we are not sure why he is staggering, did you experience any lack of coordination with your mini?
 
Ashley123 said:
Hi, my vet suspected this and so he took a blood sample to test. However we are not sure why he is staggering, did you experience any lack of coordination with your mini?
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The biggest cause of neurological problems in horses is not the brain, its the liver. Did your vet not tell you about this connection???
 
fatpiggy said:
The biggest cause of neurological problems in horses is not the brain, its the liver. Did your vet not tell you about this connection???
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Yep - taken this from the Merck Veterinary Manual website:

Hepatic encephalopathy, a syndrome of neurologic problems caused by poor liver function, is seen in a number of liver diseases. The liver normally removes poisons from the bloodstream; when the liver is not working properly, poisons build up and can affect the nervous system. Signs of hepatic encephalopathy range from depression and lethargy to head pressing, circling, aimless walking, lack of coordination, difficulty swallowing, persistent yawning, sleepiness, aggressiveness, vicious behavior, stupor, seizures, or coma. Loud sounds while breathing and difficulty breathing occur in some cases of liver failure, especially in ponies. Although the signs can be dramatic, hepatic encephalopathy can often be reversed if the underlying liver disease is successfully treated. Horses with hepatic encephalopathy often show aggressive and unpredictable behavior that can result in injury to the horse or to its handlers. The animal may require sedation.

HAve you checked for Ragwort in your field?

Here is a link to a previous topic on this forum about liver damage

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?317454-Liver-disease

I hope your shetland recovers.
 
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Ashley123 said:
Hi, my vet suspected this and so he took a blood sample to test. However we are not sure why he is staggering, did you experience any lack of coordination with your mini?
Click to expand...

Yes the pony walked crooked her back end was turned to the the left ,the vet said she thought the pony had a stifle problem ,I did query Hyperlipaemia as I know Shetlands are prone to it the pony was also lethargic and had gone of her food . Have you had the results of the blood test yet? how is your mini today ?
 
shergar said:
Yes the pony walked crooked her back end was turned to the the left ,the vet said she thought the pony had a stifle problem ,I did query Hyperlipaemia as I know Shetlands are prone to it the pony was also lethargic and had gone of her food . Have you had the results of the blood test yet? how is your mini today ?
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Hi,bye is brighter today and is showing his cheeky side again. The vet called to say a small amount of fat was in the blood sample and so he is happy that it is hyperlipaemia but we have caught it really early! Thank you so much for you help! I'm really sorry about the loss of your mini!
 
applecart14 said:
Yep - taken this from the Merck Veterinary Manual website:

Hepatic encephalopathy, a syndrome of neurologic problems caused by poor liver function, is seen in a number of liver diseases. The liver normally removes poisons from the bloodstream; when the liver is not working properly, poisons build up and can affect the nervous system. Signs of hepatic encephalopathy range from depression and lethargy to head pressing, circling, aimless walking, lack of coordination, difficulty swallowing, persistent yawning, sleepiness, aggressiveness, vicious behavior, stupor, seizures, or coma. Loud sounds while breathing and difficulty breathing occur in some cases of liver failure, especially in ponies. Although the signs can be dramatic, hepatic encephalopathy can often be reversed if the underlying liver disease is successfully treated. Horses with hepatic encephalopathy often show aggressive and unpredictable behavior that can result in injury to the horse or to its handlers. The animal may require sedation.

HAve you checked for Ragwort in your field?

Here is a link to a previous topic on this forum about liver damage

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?317454-Liver-disease

I hope your shetland recovers.
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Thank you for all your help! My vet confirmed today that it is hyperlipaemia and so treatment has begun. Fingers crossed it will work!
 
shergar said:
Yes the pony walked crooked her back end was turned to the the left ,the vet said she thought the pony had a stifle problem ,I did query Hyperlipaemia as I know Shetlands are prone to it the pony was also lethargic and had gone of her food . Have you had the results of the blood test yet? how is your mini today ?
Click to expand...

My friends horse (big 17hh) walked all crooked like it was doing a leg yield but with his neck and quarters turned in. Turned out it had colic, presumably it was walking this way to ease the pain. Just a thought.
 
Ashley123 said:
Thank you for all your help! My vet confirmed today that it is hyperlipaemia and so treatment has begun. Fingers crossed it will work!
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Good news that you have a diagnosis and treatment , it sounds like you have a good vet. If you have time keep us up dated on his recovery.
 
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