Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Liver Disease, Acute Hepatitis
Summary
Acute hepatitis is sudden inflammation of the liver and damage to liver cells that occurs from a variety of causes.
Toxins that affect the liver are potential causes of liver failure and acute hepatitis. These include iron toxicosis, amanitins Amanita spp mushrooms, cocklebur, Alsike Clover, and Cyanobacteria or Blue-Green Algae. There are a variety of other agents and conditions that cause acute hepatitis. The so-called serum hepatitis, or Theiler's Disease causes classic acute hepatitis too.
The only way to differentiate Acute Hepatitis from other causes of liver failure is through a liver biopsy, which gives detailed information about the disease process but can take a few days for laboratory results.
Generally, treatment for acute hepatitis is directed at the primary cause and is also about supportive nursing care while the liver recovers and regenerates.
Toxins that affect the liver are potential causes of liver failure and acute hepatitis. These include iron toxicosis, amanitins Amanita spp mushrooms, cocklebur, Alsike Clover, and Cyanobacteria or Blue-Green Algae. There are a variety of other agents and conditions that cause acute hepatitis. The so-called serum hepatitis, or Theiler's Disease causes classic acute hepatitis too.
The only way to differentiate Acute Hepatitis from other causes of liver failure is through a liver biopsy, which gives detailed information about the disease process but can take a few days for laboratory results.
Generally, treatment for acute hepatitis is directed at the primary cause and is also about supportive nursing care while the liver recovers and regenerates.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis depends on the specific cause of the hepatitis, the amount of liver damage done, and the quality of the supportive veterinary care provided.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Depressed, Dull, Sick or Lethargic
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
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Heart Rate, Pulse Rapid, Greater than 48 BPM at Rest (in Adult)
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Weight Loss, Thin, Losing Weight
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Sores, Crusts, Scabs or Peeling of White-Haired, Pink-Skinned Areas
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Playing in Water Excessively Without Drinking
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Poor Appearing, Ill Thrift, Generally
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Abdominal Pain, Colic Signs
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Membranes of Mouth, Gums appear Yellow, Jaundice
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Eye looks Blood Shot, White of Eye is Red
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Abdomen or Belly seems Rigid, Painful to Pressure
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Whites of Eyes, or Pink Skinned Areas appear Yellow
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Head in Corner or Against Wall, Head Pressing
Less Common
Rare
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Very Common