Feeding Horses with Liver and Kidney Problems

For horses that have been diagnosed with liver or kidney disease, modifications to the feeding program may be beneficial. Any horse with a diseased liver or kidneys should be evaluated by a veterinarian, as dietary changes will be only part of the treatment and overall management of these equines.

In horses with severe liver dysfunction, low blood glucose levels may develop. Therefore, the diet should contain highly digestible starches to decrease reliance on liver function.

Abnormalities of liver protein metabolism contribute to the neurologic signs that frequently occur with acute liver failure. The cause is a decrease in the conversion of ammonia to urea, leading to rising ammonia levels that contribute to dysfunction of the central nervous system. To minimize colonic ammonia production, a low- or moderate-protein diet should be fed. Legume hays, oats, and soybeans should be avoided. Grass hay should be fed as the fiber source.

Chronic kidney failure in horses decreases excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and urea but can lead to a deficit of sodium. In general, feedstuffs high in protein (legumes, soybeans), phosphorus (wheat bran), and calcium (legumes, calcium-containing supplements) should be avoided. These horses can benefit from fat supplementation to increase the energy density of the diet.

Work with an equine nutritionist to formulate a diet that is appropriate for horses with liver or kidney disease. Contact a Kentucky Equine Research (KER) nutrition advisor today for recommendations.