The liver is one of a horse's largest organs, weighing approximately one percent of his body weight. It has myriad functions, including the excretion of bile, storage of vitamins and minerals, filtration of toxins, and it plays a key role in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. The liver also contains immune cells, produces proteins for immune functions and prevents gut bacteria from reaching the bloodstream.
Though liver disease in horses is not diagnosed often, this doesn't mean that horses don't suffer from it. The cause of some cases is never known, but liver disease is most-often linked to the ingestion of toxic plants, bacterial infections and fatty liver. Two viruses have also been found to cause the disease.
Liver issues in small animals are much more common. There is often evidence that liver failure compromises the immune system and increases the risk of bacterial infections in organs.
In horses, multiple other conditions can compromise the immune system, including pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). Hoof abscesses are particularly common in horses with PPID.
While liver failure might cause hoof abscesses or other infections, it's not likely. More common signs of liver disease are loss of appetite, weight loss, sunburning on white markings, and yellowing of the sclera.
If anything seems amiss, a full veterinary workup is recommended, including bloodwork and endocrine testing.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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