Update: Big Bloated Belly *cries*

[Serephin]

The vet came out to see my ned yesterday, and took blood samples and poo sample.

has just called me to say he wants to come out today and see me and talk over treatments as the bloods showed neddy has liver damage - now I am really worried. What does this mean? is liver damage something that can be treated?

I am trying not to cry, I love my ned so much *wails*

 

[OrangeEmpire]

Oh god, you poor thing - just shows you did the right thing getting the vet out.

You said yourself that he is bright and alert so this should be something that can be managed with drugs and a good diet. Don't panic this doesn't mean it is the END.
Much sympathy.

 

[paulo]

Poor you ((hugs))
Try not to get too worried until you see the vet and he explains things. Did they vet say what he thinks has caused the damage?
You dont have any ragwort in the field do you?

I dont know much about liver damage but I would think it can be treated. My friends horse had mild liver damage and I remember it being on milk thistle?

 

[Blizzard]

((hugs))

Could it be ragwort damage?

 

[Serephin]

[ QUOTE ]
((hugs))

Could it be ragwort damage?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know really - I had pulled a few plants out of my field this year (nobody else seems to bother) - but his belly was a bit like this when I bought him over a year ago,(I put him on loads of herbal treatments for digestion) so I am not sure. I am hoping the vet can shed more light on it all. I feel really sick though - am so worried.

going to see vet in about half an hour down the yard so will post when I find out more.

 

[Mudsplasher]

I hope it goes well for you . Sending hugs and good vibes . Let us know how it goes.

 

[Serephin]

Thank you for all your good wishes, I really appreciate it.

Well the vet has been and he says that he is not sure to the extent of the damage of neds liver, but is borderline jaundice - he has given me 10 days worth of Milk Thistle and I have to get bloods done again in 14 days.

He said that it could of been ragwort damage further back in his life, he can't pin it down, but thinks it has been there for a long time. He wouldn't give me a long term prognosis - just said that we would have to go from the bloods in 14 days (but he did ask me if neddy was insured - he is , but eeek ,all the same!) and I am not to do anything to energetic with him for the next few days.

so I really don't know - I am quite depressed about it all, but my husband is quite positive - and as another girl said, he has been fine up until now, he is fine in himself and does not appear ill - its just the huge belly and cow pat poos that gives him away - apparently the belly is due to fluid build up due to the liver damage - can't remember the specifics.

*sigh* I am so hoping that the treatment will work - the vet mentioned biopsies, but said that was pretty hardcore so I hope we don't have to go down that road.

does anyone else have any experience of this at all? what is the likelyhood of him being fine and carrying on as normal?