Liver, Kidney & Detox

Umbrella term for liver dysfunction of various causes (toxins, infection, metabolism). The liver has a high regenerative capacity.

Chronic liver damage from pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in poisonous plants such as ragwort/groundsel (Senecio), hemp agrimony or comfrey. Intake often goes unnoticed via hay/silage, in which dried plants lose their bitter taste; the damage is insidious and cumulative.

Neurological dysfunction as a result of liver failure: the damaged liver can no longer sufficiently detoxify ammonia and other metabolic products, which reach the brain. It is an acute crisis on the basis of severe liver disease.

Inflammation of the bile ducts and adjacent liver tissue, often through an ascending bacterial infection from the intestine. Sometimes gallstones (cholelithiasis) are involved, hindering bile flow and triggering flare-ups.

Impaired kidney function in which urinary metabolic products rise in the blood (azotaemia). It occurs acutely — e.g. after severe dehydration, shock, toxins or an overdose of painkillers — or develops chronically and insidiously; overall it is rarer in the horse than in small animals.

Formation of concretions in the urinary tract, in the horse most often bladder stones of calcium carbonate. This is favoured by the naturally alkaline, mineral-rich equine urine; geldings and older horses are over-represented. An obstruction of urine flow can become close to an emergency.

Inflammation of the bladder lining, in the horse usually secondary — e.g. as a consequence of urinary stones, a urination disorder, bladder paralysis or after foaling/catheterisation. A primary, purely bacterial cystitis is comparatively rare in the horse.