Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Equine serum hepatitis (Theiler's disease) is a fulminant viral hepatopathy associated with biological equine serum administration.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Theiler's Disease (Equine Serum Hepatitis Acute Hepatic Necrosis of Horses):
- First described by Sir Arnold Theiler in 1919 in horses receiving equine-origin antiserum (tetanus antitoxin).
- It is the most common cause of acute fulminant liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy in the Horse.
- It is caused by Equine Parvovirus-Hepatitis (EqPV-H) and Equine Pegivirus transmitted via biologic blood/serum products or natural exposure, leading to diffuse centrilobular to massive hepatic necrosis ('dishrag liver').
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Theiler's disease is the most common cause of acute hepatitis in Horses, matching option (D).