Hello borak,
I am so sorry your horse is ill! As an animal lover myself, it must
be heartbreaking to see your horse suffering. The good news is your
horse is still alive after 6 weeks. From all I have read, there is
virtually no treatment for this form of toxicosis. As in humans, over
time the liver *may* heal on its own. Symptoms of fusarium toxicosis
include depression, blindness, ataxia, aimless wandering, and facial
paralysis. The horse often lapses into a coma and dies, often 1-7 days
after onset of symptoms.
Certainly not the *most* toxic mycotxin, fusarium mycotoxins cause
a toxicosis, also known as leukoencephalomalacia. Fusarium toxicosis
is a common equine disorder, and usually arises from consuming moldy
corn. The mold toxins induce liver damage, and usually death or brain
damage. If diagnosed quickly, laxatives and absorbants may have helped
rid the body of the mold toxins, but later use weeks later is not
thought to be helpful. My husband tells me, in the *old days*,
toxicosis was fairly common, and to treat their horses, his father
would run a tube into the horse's stomach,(through the nostril) and
funnel in a solution of charcoal and molasses at first sign of
toxicosis.
It sounds as if you have received good veterinary care, judging by
the list of pharmaceuticals you list (although I do not recognize ?
korticoin?). Did your horse get a bacterial infection as a result of
the toxicosis? As requested, I have included some alternative forms
of treatment, including herbal therapies and nutritional supplements.
?Supportive care includes correction of electrolyte, metabolic, and
glucose disorders via fluid therapy and dietary management. Hepatic
encephalopathy must be controlled. Sunlight should be avoided if
photosensitization is present. Antimicrobials may be considered to
prevent secondary pyoderma. Prognosis is guarded and depends on the
particular hepatotoxin.?
http://www.mold-help.org/pages/submenus/molds/fusarium.htm
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23111.htm
?Sometimes more than one mycotoxin may be present in feedstuffs, and
their different toxicologic properties may cause clinical signs and
lesions that are not consistent with to those seen when animals are
dosed experimentally with pure, single mycotoxins. Several mycotoxins
are immunosuppressive, which may allow viruses, bacteria, or parasites
to create a secondary disease that is more obvious than the primary.?
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/212100.htm
?If an animal survives the acute syndrome, neurological deficits are
observed. A recovered horse is sometimes referred to as a ?dummy?
because of its loss of intelligence.? and ?There is no specific
therapy for ELEM. By the time clinical signs are noted, it is usually
too late in the course of the disease. Removal of the contaminated
feed from susceptible animals is very important. Avoidance of the
mycotoxins is the only way to prevent the disease. If the animal is
acting delirious or agitated, sedation is necessary. The majority of
the therapy is symptomatic. These include gastrointestinal
protectants such as activated charcoal and laxatives to aid
elimination of the toxin, fluids, and dextrose for hydration and
energy. If the clinical signs have progressed to recumbency,
euthanasia may be needed for humane reasons.?
http://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/2000/fall/el.shtml
?Horses may also suffer liver damage and possibly a degree of kidney
damage following dietary exposure to fumonisins.?
http://healthandenergy.com/mycotoxins.htm
?Treatment of animals suffering from mycotoxicoses usually is
supportive and often not very effective. Antidotes for mycotoxins are
generally not available. Stopping and preventing further exposure by
removing contaminated feed is important.?
http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/plantdisease/g1513.htm#diagnosis
Above all, a good diet is important for this horse. Proper nourishment
will supply the building blocks the body needs to support and maintain
organ health. To reduce the amount of work the horse?s liver needs to
do, the horse will need to consume a careful balance of proteins and
carbohydrates.
?Rations for horses with liver disease should include high levels of
soluble carbohydrates and low levels of high biological protein.
Alfalfa, clover, soya and oats should be avoided as the main sources
of energy and protein. Adequate intake of energy molecules, both
carbohydrate and fats, is said to spare protein, permitting a small
protein intake to maintain positive nitrogen balance. The body
recycles amino acids and becomes every efficient when protein intake
is low. When a precisely calculated amino acid set is available, the
total daily requirement is 30% to 50% lower than the RDA values for
food protein intake.?
http://www.equilibrate.co.uk/liverdisease.html
The above site sells a balanced supplement for horses, but it is in
England. You may write them via e-mail to see if they ship to the US.
E-mail address is mail@equilibrate.co.uk
http://www.equilibrate.co.uk/
Another recommended feed that balances proteins, and reduces nitrogen
intake (converted to ammonia, which is toxic to the liver) is JL
Signature Performance
· Provides 12% protein to reduce nitrogen intake, which helps lower
the risk of dehydration and reduces ammonia levels in stalls
· Includes guaranteed levels of key amino acids to support performance
with a lower level of crude protein
· Added anise flavoring for improved palatability
· Offers added fat (from vegetable oil) and digestable fiber to
enhance performance and endurance
· Contains selenium and Vitamin E for antioxidant benefits, including
support for immune system response and reduced risk of muscle soreness
· Added biotin and methionine to support hoof and hair quality
· Has added yeast culture to help improve fiber digestion
http://www.nutrenaworld.com/Screens/ProductDetails_Equine.aspx?ProductID=94
Cortisone and/or colchicines
?In horses with a lymphocytic-plasmacytic infiltrate on liver biopsy,
corticosteroid therapy has been used successfully. Different
therapeutic regimens using prednisolone and dexamethasone have been
recommended. The risk of inducing laminitis or abortion in pregnant
animals with corticosteroids must be discussed with the owner before
initiating therapy. Alternatively, an antifibrotic agent, colchicine
(0.03 mg/kg/day, PO) has been recommended, but its efficacy in hepatic
failure and safety in pregnant animals is unproved. Possible adverse
reactions to colchicine in horses include laminitis and diarrhea.
Malaise, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myopathy, alopecia, and
bone marrow suppression have been reported in man and other species.
In cases complicated with septic cholangiohepatitis, broad-spectrum
antimicrobials are indicated. Ideally, antimicrobial therapy should be
based on bacterial culture and sensitivity from the biopsy specimen.
Prognosis: The prognosis is generally guarded to poor and is best
based on liver biopsy and response to therapy. The prognosis is fair
to good in animals with less severe lesions, especially those with a
lymphocytic-plasmacytic cellular infiltrate that responds well to
corticosteroid therapy. Prognosis is poor in horses with hepatic
failure, widespread fibrosis, and loss of normal hepatic parenchyma.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23117.htm
You may discuss this fairly new method of helping livers heal with
your veterinarian. This page describes a method of delivering (no pun
intended) therapeutic liposomes that target and repair the liver.
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/matrix/vol8_no7_sep01/html/liver1.html
Another therapy in humans with liver damage is interferon alfa-2b. I
was unable to find much literature on it?s use in horses however. I
don?t know where you live, but I would suggest calling universities
nearby that have a Veterinary Medicine Department. They may be able to
see your horse, and will be up on the newest therapies.
?Interferon alpha (oral or intravenous). This medication has been used
in both humans and horses. Some veterinarians have used interferon
alpha routinely to treat their cases and believe that it does make a
difference?
http://www.marystack.com/news.asp?idno=32161&title=WNV%3A+Prevention+is+Key
This site will give you a start on finding a university with a School
of Veterinary Medicine near your home. (Provided you live in the US.
Some of the medicines your horse was treated with lead me to believe
you may live outside the US)
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/aboutvets/vetschools.asp
Alternative Therapies:
A word of caution regarding horses and herbals:
http://www.equinecentre.com.au/health_nutraceuticals_toxicity.shtml
?Glandular therapy, or cell therapy, is a less well known variation on
therapeutic nutrition that has its roots in the medicine of ancient
cultures. An animal that has suffered liver damage for example, could
receive injections of liver cell extract - such treatment has been
shown in some cases to stimulate or accelerated regeneration of
damaged tissues.?
http://www.selkirkvet.com/altmed_comp.html
?Research developments over the last two decades have provided a
plausible rationale for glandular therapy. It has shown that large
molecules with hormonal or potentially tissue-specific activity can be
absorbed intact and can exert profound effects. Glandulars supply a
range of hormones, hormone precursors and fragments, enzymes, and
other factors with significant biological activity. Although whole
glandulars contain only small amounts of these products, it appears
that these modest amounts can be effective, and may, in some
situations, be preferable to larger amounts?
http://www.holisticvets.com/integrative.htm#2
Echinacea Liquid
?Blood cleanser and a glandular and lymphatic system cleanser. Ideal
for skin complaints and wound healing. Its anti-viral, anti-bacterial
and anti-biotic properties stimulate quick tissue repair.?
Echinacea Purpurea ?Use for chronic viral or bacterial infections.
Effective immuno-stimulant. Blood cleanser and a glandular and
lymphatic system cleanser. Ideal for skin complaints and wound
healing. Its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties
stimulate quick tissue repair.?
http://www.naturallyequine.com/new.shtml
Equi-Boost ? ?For Peak Immunity? -- An effective herbal formula for
boosting immunity. Indicated for toxic liver, allergies, viruses &
bacteria, fatigue, poor healing response, and skin conditions.
Ingredients: Milk Thistle, Yellow Dock, Rosehips, Spirulina, Fennel, Yerba Santa
http://www.rivasremedies.com/products.htm
http://www.neosoft.com/~iaep/pages/nutrition/toxicosis/moldycorn.html
Equine Accupuncture
http://www.equineacupuncture.com/acupuncture.html
Organic Flaxseed Oil - GM free
http://www.naturallyequine.com/new.shtml
Nux vomica tablets
http://www.ainsworths.com/onlinemagazine/ASPMAG.asp?article=39
Herbals for Cirrhosis
http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/herbs_cirrhosis.html
Herbs for Horses
http://www.hygain.com.au/articles-herbs.htm
http://www.okstate.edu/OSU_Ag/oces/timely/mycotoxi.htm
No guaranteed treatment is available. Avoidance of moldy corn is the
only prevention.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/212108.htm
Balanced Diet
http://www.equilibrate.co.uk/liverdisease.html
Probiotics Horsefeed and Supplements
http://www.horsefeeds.co.uk/nutrition/probiotics.htm
http://www.pshorse.com/crs.shtml
http://www.equisearch.com/care/illness/gastro-intestinal/eqprobiotic041304/
http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/iah/protexin.htm
Additional Information:
You may be interested in this paid "Subscription Only" article, on
Diseases of Dietary Origin
http://thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=1001
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id121/id121.htm
http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/plantdisease/g1513.htm#diagnosis
Feeding
http://www.equinecentre.com.au/health_nutrition_different_feeds.shtml
Wishing you and your horse all the best. Please understand the above
answer is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to
diagnose/treat or replace sound veterinary advice.
If any part of my answer is unclear, or if I have repeated information
you already had, please request an Answer Clarification, before
rating. This will enable me to assist you further, if possible.
Sincerely
crabcakes
Search Terms
Leukoencephalomalacia
treating equine leukoencephalomalacia
Fusarium toxicosis equine
Equine hepatic disorders
equine cirrhosis
amino acid balanced low nitrogen horse feed |
