Investigation on Hepatic Insufficiency in Serum-Producing Horses and Prognostic Importance of Some Clinical and Biochemical Parameters

The objectives of this study were to evaluate possible hepatic insufficiency in serum-producing horses and to determine the possible prognostic value of clinical and biochemical parameters. Thirty horses of different species and of different sexualitics were used. The control group comprised 10 horses that were not previously used for serum production. In order to compare the hepatic insufficiency, 20 horses, which were used for serum production, were divided into 2 groups according to their research time; Group 1 contained 12 horses, which were used for serum production for 1-2 years and Group II comprised 8 horses, which were used for serum production for 3-13 years. The management and feeding conditions were same for all groups. Clinical symptoms and 6 biochemical parameters that were related to hepatic insuficiency were evaluated. As a result, some clinical and biochemical findings, which might show different stages of hepatic insufficiency, were detected in a total of 15 horses (9 horses in Group I and 6 horses in Group II). Our findings showed that these hepatic insufficiency symptoms were not dependent on the usage duration for serum production. It was concluded that serum-producing horses must be monitored and precautions taken for prevention of hepatic insufficiency. Also, horses diagnosed for hepatic insufficiency must be removed from serum-producing process to avoid their poor prognosis.