Liver disease Flashcards
Liver failure is when what percent of liver function is lost?
> 70%
Liver disease clinical signs include pain, inflammation, , jaundice, anorexia, haemolytic, sepsis, weight loss, depression and CNS signs. Photosensitisation also occurs - due to what?
Phylloerythrin accumulation
Why can ALT not be used to diagnosed liver disease in horses?
Large muscle mass - inaccurate
Which liver enzymes are cholestatic?
ALP and GGT
What test to diagnose liver disease in horses also correlates with severity?
Bilce acids test (>50umol/l)
What can be measured to predict hepatic encephalopathy?
Blood ammonia levels
Acute hepatitis is associated with which viruses, toxins and parasites?
Theiler’s disease associated virus, hepacivirus, parvovirus
Aflatoxins
Liver fluke
Chronic active hepatitis is any progressive, inflammatory hepatitis. It is often immune mediated. How is it diagnosed?
Biopsy
See if plasmocytic or lymphocytic immune mediated
How is chronic active hepatitis treated?
Corticosteroids
Immunosuppressives (azathioprine)
What are the risk factors/animals more at risk for hyperlipaemia/hyperlipidaemia?
Ponies/donkeys Females - esp lactating (NEB) Obesity Underlying disease/stress Starvation
Hyperlipaemia/hyperlipidaemia has non-specific clinical signs. How is it diagnosed?
Blood serum - cloudy
TG 1.5-5 mmol/l = hyperlipidaemia
TG >5 mmol/l = hyperlipaemia
How is hyperlipaemia/hyperlipidaemia treated?
Treat underlying cause Positive energy balance Correct dehydration/electrolytes/acidosis Get out of box rest Insulin therapy
Animals with hyperlipaemia/hyperlipidaemia are at risk for developing which condition?
Laminitis
The prognosis for horses with hyperlipaemia/hyperlipidaemia is guarded-poor. In what situations is the prognosis worse?
Other organ involvement
If female
Poor initial response to treatment
Failure to eat
What plants can cause pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity?
Ragwaort (Senecio jacobaea)
Patterson’s curse
Fireweed
What is the pathology of pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity?
Anti-mitosis - megalocytosis, fibrosis, toxic effect
Liver failure - can be delayed up to 1 year after exposure
Plants that cause pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity are highly palatable. What % of BW ingestion can be lethal?
5%
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicity can show general clinical signs such as weight loss, behavioural changes/CNS signs, anorexia and jaundice. What are some more specific clinical signs?
Inspiratory dyspnoea (laryngeal paralysis)
Gastric impaction colic
Photosensitisation
Haemorrhage
How are pyrrolizidine alkaloid toxicities treated?
Supportive therapy
Reduce hepatic encephalopathy - low protein diet
Antibiotics - neomycin, metronidazole
Which 2 liver enzymes are crucial for diagnosing liver disease in horses?
AST
GGT
(AP
GLDH)
