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HORSE HEALTH NEWS - LIVER FAILURE
LIVER FAILURE
© ARTICLE BY : DR JENNIFER STEWART BVSC BSC PHD EQUINE VETERINARIAN , CEO JENQUINE AND CONSULTANT NUTRITIONIST EQUINE CLINICAL NUTRITION
As the largest organ in the body and the first organ exposed to substances eaten or swallowed by the horse , the liver has many roles , making it particularly susceptible to damage from drugs , poisonous plants and other products . Most liver conditions in horses are due to poisonous plants and mouldy feed .
The liver is the largest gland in the body , weighing around five kilograms in average horses and up to 10 kilograms in draught horses . Unlike other species , the horse has no gall bladder and the bile produced from the liver constantly flows through a five centimetre long , 1.5 centimetre wide duct into the small intestine . It is the first organ exposed to substances eaten or swallowed by the horse . As the body ’ s clearance centre for many drugs and toxins , the liver is critical for the metabolism and detoxification of foreign substances - which makes it particularly susceptible to damage from drugs , poisonous plants and other products .
Liver disease is classified as acute , chronic , or congenital . Acute disease is caused by bacteria , viruses , parasites , obstructions , and toxins ( plants , chemicals , or drugs ). Chronic liver diseases can result from toxins , obstructions , cancer , infections ( abscesses ) and immune disorders .
There are many forms of liver disease , below are just a few commonly seen . Fatty liver – this has a 60 % fatality rate , and is mostly seen in pony breeds including miniature horses and donkeys ( 91 % of cases ). The risk is increased in late pregnancy . Affected animals are usually overweight and obese and commonly have another illness , diet restriction or stress .
AUSTRALIAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION - www . aqha . com . au