Liver Disease Flashcards
What are liver specific enzymes?
SDH = hepatocellular
GGT = biliary
What are liver-associated enzymes?
AST, LDH = hepatocellular
AP = biliary
What are the general clinical signs of liver failure?
Hepatic encephalopathy
Photosensitization
Coagulopathy, DIC
Icterus
Chronic weight loss
Peripheral edema/ascites
What is the most common form of icterus in horses?
Due to anorexia
What are biochemical abnormalities associated with liver disease/failure?
Hyperproteinemia (hypergammaglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia)
Hyperbilirubinemia
Moderate GGT elevation
Low BUN
Elevated bile acids
In general, what signifies acute vs chronic liver disease?
Acute = CNS signs, severe elevation of liver enzymes
Chronic = wt loss, photosensitivity, mild elevation of liver enzymes
Theiler’s Disease
Acute hepatitis - adults
Viral
Liver failure
Acute hepatic necrosis
Tyzzer’s Disease
Acute hepatitis - foals
Cl. piliforme
Often peracute, dead foal with no signs of disease
Pyrollizidine Alkaloid Toxicity
Chronic liver failure - wt loss, photosensitization, icterus, HE
Megalocytes, die –> fibrosis
Bile duct hyperplasia
Cirrhosis
Chongitis/Cholangiohepatitis
Cholestasis = icterus
Colic (recurrent)
Fever (cholangitis)
+/- ascending infection
Decreased bile flow
Salmonella spp.
Bacillary Hemoglobinuria
Cl. novyi type D
Tissue injury (F. hepatica) –> endotoxins (beta toxin) –> hepatic necrosis and hemolysis
Icterus, DIC, hemoglobinuria, bleeding from mouth/nose/feces
dDx = anthrax
Ischemic hepatic infarct
Black’s Disease
Sheep
C. novyi type B
Hepatic necrosis, endothelial damage
Usually found dead
Hemorrhage of subcutaneous tissues = black discoloration of carcass
What causes liver abscesses?
Excessive amounts of readily fermentable carbohydrates
High grain = low pH
Laminitis, decreased productivity, caudal vena cava syndrome
Acute hepatitis less common
Prevention = gradual change of amount of carbs fed (3-4wks)
Fusobacterium necrophorum
