Common Hepatotoxins
There are many compounds that are considered hepatotoxic. The most common hepatotoxins that affect horses are: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Most horses will avoid these plants if other forage is available, though horses without other sources of forage will ingest these plants. Kleingrass causes photosensitivity, icterus, colic, fever, weight loss and hepatic encephalopathy. Alsike clover causes photosensitivity, colic, diarrhea, depression and death. Cocklebur causes depression, weakness, ataxia, hypothermia, cervical muscle spasms, dyspnea, convulsions and death.
Hepatic Diseases
Idiopathic Acute Hepatic Disease
Idiopathic acute hepatic disease (IAHD) is commonly called
disease.
This disease is idiopathic, though it is thought to be related to the direct or indirect exposure to equine origin biologic agents such as (TAT). The proposed mechanism of disease is a type III hypersensitivity reaction where the immune complex becomes associated with, but not attached to, hepatic tissue triggering an immune reaction against the immune complex and the associated cells. Idiopathic acute hepatic disease occurs most often from August to November, and is seen commonly in . This is thought to occur as broodmares are often given TAT shortly after foaling to prevent tetanus infection or are in a herd with individuals who have had TAT. When IAHD occurs in individuals who have not had direct contact with equine biologic agents it is suspect that biting arthropods transmit blood containing immune complex from a horse with direct exposure to biologic agents to one who has not had direct contact.
340
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software