Viral Hepatitis

M

Monkers

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 May 2005
Messages
417
Visit site
Does anyone have any experience of this in horses? Apparantly some vets believe there is no viral form of hepatitis in horses, but a liver biopsy in one of the horses at my yard would suggest otherwise!
Any info gratefully recieved!
 
One of my horses has had it, plus another horse at my yard - at different times, and with no common factors we could discern. PM me if you'd like to discuss further.
 
I have had a horse with unexplained raised liver enzymes, I'd be interested in what kind of symptoms (if any) the horse at your yard shows? If any?
 
No symptoms at all really, it was picked up during a routine blood test. The only difference is that the horse has become a little spooky and unpredictable, but this can be normal behaviour for him. All liver enzymes and bile acids high and some dodgy haematology too. We have others affected also, but this is the only one to have a biopsy so far. Thanks jonty, will pm you now.
 
Not sure if it is the same but daughter's pony has hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and after biospy and bloods vets determined it is probably caused by a virus as WBC count low. Biopsy showed signs of regeneration and no long term damage but her bloods were getting worse. She is now on antibiotics and steroids for six weeks. Her symptoms were lacking energy when ridden.
 
Thanks for that, this horse's biopsy was similar. it shows minimal damage to the liver, but the bloods would suggest otherwise!
The vet isn't keen to use steroids as the liver isn't badly inflamed and there are risks involved, on a scale of 0-14 it's at 1, which is good obviously.
He's not suggesting any drugs at all really, other than possibly some immune system support.

I'm interested as to why your vet is suggesting antibiotics for a suspected virus. Is it because he just wants to cover all bases?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top