Huck is one of our original mini horses, so when we noticed him starting to lose weight, we knew something wasn’t right.
Our mini horses are intentionally kept on a diet, but Huck’s weight loss was noticeably different from the other three minis. Something had changed, and we needed to find out why.
The Clues Were in His Bloodwork
Initial bloodwork showed elevated liver values, giving our veterinarian, Dr. Metcalf, an important clue. To get a better look at what was happening, Dr. Metcalf recommended an ultrasound of Huck’s liver.
And it gave us answers we desperately needed.
A Smaller-Than-Normal Liver
The ultrasound showed that Huck’s liver is significantly smaller than normal, with chronic fibrotic changes. Dr. Metcalf estimates that Huck has lost a substantial amount of liver function.
It’s difficult news, but having a better understanding of what’s happening means we can now focus on helping Huck feel his best and supporting his liver health.
Now We Know What to Watch
Huck will begin receiving liver support along with an herbal supplement, and we’ll repeat his bloodwork in a few months to see how he responds.
In the meantime, our team will be keeping a close eye on him for changes in his appetite, energy levels, or signs of jaundice, which can indicate that the liver isn’t functioning properly.
For Huck, this means more monitoring, more care, and lots of attention from his sanctuary family!
Your Support Makes This Care Possible
Veterinary care doesn’t stop at an exam. It’s the bloodwork, ultrasounds, medications, supplements, follow-up testing, and ongoing monitoring that help us understand what our residents need as they age.
Your support this month helped make Huck’s ultrasound and veterinary care possible. Because of you, we have a clearer picture of what’s happening inside his little body—and a plan for caring for him moving forward.
We’ll keep watching Huck closely and giving this sweet little guy everything he needs to keep going.
