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Hepatic diseases in horses.
Abstract: The concept 'liver disease' includes several pathological conditions affecting liver's functions. It can either consist of a temporary impaired functioning of the liver and/or it can progress to its failure. The purpose of this review is to update the knowledge on hepatobiliary diseases and in particular on equine hyperlipaemia. Hepatobiliary disease's aetiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and nutritional management are thus described in the first part of the review the second part being devoted to hyperlypaemia's lipid metabolism, epidemiology, clinical signs, post-mortem observations and nutritional management. Diagnosis of hepatic disease is usually based on the assessment of the serum activities while hepatic biopsy is considered as the golden standard of diagnosis of hepatic function. Nutritional management is often very useful in management of hepatic diseases: diet should be low in protein (of good biological value) and high in non-structural carbohydrates except for chronic hepatic disease (slightly high protein). Equine hyperlipaemia's mortality is around 70%. It consists of a disorder of lipid metabolism, characterized by increase in plasma triglycerides and deposition of fat on organs. From a nutritional point of view, hyperlipaemia in horses can be approached by maintaining positive energy balance, fighting dehydration and metabolic acidosis, and by the use of lipotropic factors.
Publication Date: 2008-05-15 PubMed ID: 18477316DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00798.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article provides an in-depth analysis of liver diseases in horses, with a particular focus on equine hyperlipaemia. It also offers insights into the diagnosis and nutritional management of these hepatic diseases for better equine health.
Hepatobiliary Disease Overview
- Hepatobiliary disease refers to various pathological conditions that affect the functioning of the liver. These conditions result in a temporary or lasting malfunction of the liver and, in worst-case scenarios, can lead to liver failure.
- The article explores the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and nutritional management of hepatobiliary diseases. Understanding these aspects can help in early detection and proper treatment of liver diseases in horses.
Hyperlipaemia in Horses
- The research also focuses on a specific condition known as equine hyperlipaemia. This disease is characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism, causing an increase in plasma triglycerides and deposition of fat on various organs.
- The mortality rate for equine hyperlipaemia is distressingly high, around 70%, highlighting the importance of proper diagnosis and effective management of this condition.
Diagnosis of Hepatic Disease
- As per this review, diagnosis of hepatic disease usually depends on the evaluation of serum activities, a biological marker for the severity of the disease.
- However, hepatic biopsy is regarded as the most reliable method for diagnosing liver function and thus most definitive in diagnosing hepatic diseases.
Nutritional Management
- Nutritional management is a crucial part of treating hepatic diseases in horses. A diet low in protein, but comparatively rich in non-structural carbohydrates is recommended for afflicted horses. Exceptions are made for chronic hepatic diseases where slightly higher protein intake may be beneficial.
- For managing equine hyperlipaemia, steps should include maintaining a positive energy balance, preventing dehydration and metabolic acidosis, and utilizing lipotropic factors, which promote the breakdown of fat.
Cite This Article
APA
Bergero D, Nery J.
(2008).
Hepatic diseases in horses.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 92(3), 345-355.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00798.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- DIPAEE, Grugliasco (TO), Italy. domenico.bergero@unito.it
MeSH Terms
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology
- Animals
- Biliary Tract Diseases / diagnosis
- Biliary Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Biliary Tract Diseases / pathology
- Biliary Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Hyperlipidemias / diagnosis
- Hyperlipidemias / epidemiology
- Hyperlipidemias / pathology
- Hyperlipidemias / veterinary
- Liver Diseases / diagnosis
- Liver Diseases / epidemiology
- Liver Diseases / pathology
- Liver Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Prevalence
References
This article includes 73 references
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Mahmoud AAE, Elsayed HK, Hussein HA. Ultrasound measurements of croup fat thickness and liver echogenicity as indicators for lipomobilization in donkeys (Equus Africanus asinus) with fasting-induced hyperlipidemia. BMC Vet Res 2025 Sep 9;21(1):534.
- Tomal A, Szłapka-Kosarzewska J, Mironiuk M, Michalak I, Marycz K. Arthrospira platensis enriched with Cr(III), Mg(II), and Mn(II) ions improves insulin sensitivity and reduces systemic inflammation in equine metabolic affected horses. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024;15:1382844.
- Grant CE, Godfrey H, Tal M, Bakovic M, Shoveller AK, Blois SL, Hesta M, Verbrugghe A. Description of the fasted serum metabolomic signature of lean and obese cats at maintenance and of obese cats under energy restriction. PLoS One 2024;19(3):e0299375.
- Satué K, Miguel-Pastor L, Chicharro D, Gardón JC. Hepatic Enzyme Profile in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 29;12(7).
- Jaramillo FM, Piñeros DDV, Corrêa RR, Pogliani FC, Cogliati B, Baccarin RYA. Efficacy of oral Cynara scolymus and Silybum marianum on toxicity of imidocarb dipropionate in horses. Vet Rec Open 2020;7(1):e000416.
- Howell AK, Malalana F, Beesley NJ, Hodgkinson JE, Rhodes H, Sekiya M, Archer D, Clough HE, Gilmore P, Williams DJL. Fasciola hepatica in UK horses. Equine Vet J 2020 Mar;52(2):194-199.
- Aoki T, Kimura Y, Oya A, Chiba A, Ishii M, Nambo Y. Hematological and biochemical features of postpartum fever in the heavy draft mare. J Equine Sci 2016;27(1):13-6.
- Setlakwe EL, Sweeney R, Engiles JB, Johnson AL. Identification of Bartonella henselae in the liver of a thoroughbred foal with severe suppurative cholangiohepatitis. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Jul-Aug;28(4):1341-5.
- Ranjithkumar M, Malik TA, Saxena A, Dan A, Sakthivel PC, Dey S. Hyperlipidaemia in trypanosomiasis of naturally infected horses: possible cachexia-anorexia syndrome?. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013 Feb;45(2):417-21.
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