Aged Mare rubbing herself raw - Update

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Spotsrock

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Hi,

I posted a week ago about my 32 year old mare with arthritis, pyometra, cushings and now itching to the point of rubbing raw.

I tried clipping and treating her for lice, though how she would have picked anything up at home god knows.

She did seem better lightly rugged and fully clipped but as it got colder her joints got stiff as she was under rugged. As soon as I ramped up the rugging she started rubbing badly again.

Anyway, had the vet out, he took some blood tests and she has low white blood cell count, probably connected to the pyo, and high liver function, probably connected to her cushings and general age.

I collected some milk thistle this morning and will see how that goes.

The pysio came out today and turns out she did her thesis on milk thistle. She tells me it will be brilliant for her so fingers crossed.

Shiny-ISH will post a picture of the old dear in the snow this afternoon when she comes on (hopefully) just for anyone who is interested to see how the old dear looks!!
 
some photos :)
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Wow, we have a 31 yr old on our yard and he looks infinitely older than her!!
I hope the milk thistle makes her more comfortable.
 
Ah, interesting. I wondered whether there might be liver issues when you said about the itching, it seems there was a link. I hope the milk thistle helps her.
 
To be totally honest, she has cushings so isn't going to heal very well. She has a list of problems and possibly conflicting (as some do better rugged, some do better unruggeD). Is it time to say 31 is a good age?
 
Not according to her or my vet. I have him out every 3 months. She has all her teeth, is 9/10ths sound, sparkly eyes and still gallops round keeping the youngsters in check. My vet is very honest and will tell me when she is physically ready. I have known her 19 years and have a team of dentist, physio, vet, yo who have all known her for 6 years minimum and all know me well enough to help me see it when she is mentally ready, as well as ex sharer is still about.
 
SusieT said:
To be totally honest, she has cushings so isn't going to heal very well. She has a list of problems and possibly conflicting (as some do better rugged, some do better unruggeD). Is it time to say 31 is a good age?
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What, because the mare is a bit itchy - please - what is it with people on here that want shoot everything that isn't young and perfect.

OP, mare is looking great for her age and this time of year. Well done you! I would say that she is probably getting a bit warm - she is obviously more comfortable with slightly less rugs so although it is very difficult to judge try to keep her on the cool side of things.

You could try wrapping her legs by using pads and bandages or thermal wraps like thermatex do - I was always told that if you bandage you can take a blanket of the back. That will help the stiff old legs but keep the body cooler??
 
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We have a 29 year old, we use sorbolene on mane tail and withers, it helps make him less itchy - like people I think that there skin is just drier. I am very generous in application. I have found that a light rug helps, because it keeps off the insects from biting.
 
Hi, I used to have a horse that would get very itchy and a friend suggested Oilatum Emollient Bath, put some in warm water and sponge her coat don't wash it off it won't cure her but will relieve the itch. You can get it from all the supermarkets. Hope it helps
 
Thanks for comments and suggestions. Was a bit disheartening to have pts suggested in light of the pictures. Very recent as in taken the day they were posted and I think she looks well. She is receiving vet attention. If she looked poor or I wasn't having her treated properly it would be a more appropriate solution I feel.
 
Ignore SusieT, if you look at her posts she always writes what she hopes will get the most negative reaction.

Your mare does look well. :)
 
She is a beautiful mare and she looks really well and perky. She certainly does not look past it yet, so I don't think there is any need for the p.t.s brigade to wade in.

What are you feeding? Both alfalfa and soya oil made one of mine very itchy, it might be worth checking her diet to see if that is what is causing her problems.

For her sores Aloe Vera and/or Chamomile might help cool and calm her skin irritations, I hope you find a solution for her, being itchy isn't fun for them.
 
It's a question that any good owner will ask themselves of an aged horse with multiple problems. If the answer to the question is no that's fine but there is nothing wrong with asking the question.
 
SusieT said:
It's a question that any good owner will ask themselves of an aged horse with multiple problems. If the answer to the question is no that's fine but there is nothing wrong with asking the question.
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The good owner has the right to ask the question - but you, SusieT, who does not know the horse, do not.

Global Herbs Black Salt is a good skin soother and may help your mare's itchiness. My cushings pony developed itchiness a couple of times last summer and I recently read a positive review about Black Salt so I've just ordered some.

Your mare is a credit to you.
 
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