VET notes
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The livers function
- How it can be damaged
- Actions to take if it is found to be diseased
THE LIVER IS the largest organ in the horse's body, weighing approximately 5-7kg in an average 500kg horse. It is vital for life and health and a few of its important functions include:
- Digestion and metabolism ot nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
- Production of bile to help with the digestion of fats.
- Detoxification and elimination of waste products and harmful toxic substances.
- Synthesis of vitamins (eg, vitamin C), blood proteins and clotting factors.
- Storage of vitamins and minerals, including iron, copper and vitamins A, D, E, K and B12.
Symptoms of liver disease
The liver is incredible and it can continue to function normally until over 70% of it is damaged. If 70% or more of the liver is affected the horse will start to show signs of disease due to liver failure. Despite being relatively common, liver disease in the horse can be difficult to spot as often
