Would you buy a pony with high Liver Enzymes ?

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Spangles

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We've found a super pony that ticks all the boxes for my boy but a full profile blood count has identified a high Liver Enzyme result ( 4 times normal range)

Vet has suggested an ultrasound & biopsy (not at our expense) to determine extent of liver damage. Vet said Liver heals and regenerates but depending on the degree of damage and whether chronic, the decision to buy is obviously in question. He is only 6 and is such a sweet pony in all other respects.

We thought him lethargic and he got tired when my son rode him so had the blood test expecting a little anaemia so were shocked and upset to be told his liver enzymes level was significant.

Has anyone experienced a situation like this. We're all so upset as we really want him.
 
Spangles said:
We've found a super pony that ticks all the boxes for my boy but a full profile blood count has identified a high Liver Enzyme result ( 4 times normal range)

Vet has suggested an ultrasound & biopsy (not at our expense) to determine extent of liver damage. Vet said Liver heals and regenerates but depending on the degree of damage and whether chronic, the decision to buy is obviously in question. He is only 6 and is such a sweet pony in all other respects.

We thought him lethargic and he got tired when my son rode him so had the blood test expecting a little anaemia so were shocked and upset to be told his liver enzymes level was significant.

Has anyone experienced a situation like this. We're all so upset as we really want him.
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depends on the cause - my pony has raised liver enzymes - we had biopsy and it looked ok on the scan but bloods showed raised enzymes they do not know the cause. She is on legaphyton and milk thistle and licorice twists. I have seen a definite change in the last month for the better and just waiting for next bloods but my vet said there is no reason why she should not lead a normal life with correct management.
 
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I would be reluctant to purchase until the problem had been fully diagnosed and treated, it may take many months to resolve, if you buy partway through treatment you will have to take the risk financially as well as face the possibility that it may not fully recover for some time, someone who posts on this forum has been dealing with raised levels for at least 2 years.
The other issue is that the nice pony you tried may be completely different once he gets better and not the pony you expected to be buying.
I bought a little horse some time ago who had undergone treatment and had two clear blood tests before the owner put him up for sale, he has been fine ever since but I still take care with his diet and there is a slight risk of it reoccurring, his previous owner did the responsible thing by ensuring he was given the all clear before selling and I feel the owners of this pony should do the same.
 
Please dont.Our pony went into liver failure on Sat evening after seemingly being normal. His enzymes were 1048 instead of normal 300 odd. It was horrendous. He is now at vets ,great expense and is now partially sighted.
 
Sorry to hijack thread but if anyone who posts on this thread who has experience of liver failure would they please PM me as we need all help we can get Thanks
 
Im not really sure how to answer your question. My horse has had elevated liver enzymes for 2 years, up to 14x the high end of the normal range. He has never been symptomatic or at least not significantly (definitely never tired!) and has always looked fantastic. However I have been quite worried as we never found out the cause and without constant blood tests I don't know if he is on a good or bad week because he won't show me! He's been in full work for most of the 2 years because he was too full of himself to rest (which turns out to be a good thing as I found out in March he also has PSSM which needs constant work to manage).

However what triggered me to get an initial blood test 2 years ago was holding my friends pony (who was in a field over the road) as she died of acute liver failure. We had no idea she was even ill except she'd been really itchy but within hours she was fitting, slamming into walls, and fitting on the floor. It was a terrible thing to witness and will stay with me.

I'd want to know as much as possible I guess. If bile acids were high I'd be more concerned than if just other enzymes were high. Do you know the actual results (studying them had become a bit of an obsession of mine, I'm no vet but I occasionally get a good idea of what to ask your vet!)
 
Thank you everyone for your replies. Sadly we decided not to proceed. I feel sad, guilty and upset but there it is
 
You had to look after your own interests, nothing to feel guilty about it is a shame for the owners who would not have found out if you had not done the blood test but at least they can now get on with getting the pony treated and hopefully back to full health so it can go to a new home in the future being fit and well.
 
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