Auto immune diseases... Pemphigus

[popularfurball]

My pony has been diagnosed with pemphigus erythematosus... she now has all her hair back, but aside from the hair loss it also causes a rheumatoid type arthritis and intermittant swellings all over her... does anyone else have a similar diagnosis? Or ideas etc?

 

[impala]

A lady at my yard experienced something similar with her gelding. Started off with slight hair loss on just one of his legs and over time ended up losing hair from the whole of his chest and right back past the girth area. Stumped the vets for the best part of 4 years. Prescribed him steriods which didn't make much difference to be honest. They eventually diagnosed it as an inbalance with his immune system. A form of rheumatoid arthritis where basically the immune system was attacking itself. The owner started giving him aloe vera gel in his feed each day and slowly (months, not weeks) the hair started to regrow. He now has a full coat and the only slightly less hairy area is on the original leg where it started (although you would hardly know to look at it). He is now almost off the steriods. It was myself who recommended the aloe vera. I know we are not allowed to promote products on here but if you would like to PM me I'd be very happy to tell you more and answer any questions about it.

 

[fatpiggy]

Hi Popularfurball, been missing you on the Horsemans Advisor! When were the pictures taken? She doesn't look quite as bad in these as the fur is growing back. Poor little thing must be miserable with her aching joints though. I talked to an old showring friend a few years ago when asking about his pony having not seen them for a bit and he said she had died of the horse equivalent of AIDS. Well of course, that isn't what it would first sound like but it does seem to be a whole-body immune system problem. Could you get a referral to Leahurst? Did you see the other post on HA about the use of gold salts?

 

[popularfurball]

Horsemans advisor...? I'm confused!!

She is doing fantastically at the moment, it's been a rollercoaster but finally on The up. The photos above she wen bald about two weeks later, all the White fell out. She has lost 100kg (16st) by weight tape an I have just started to ride her again.

We obviously have ongoing issues, but it's just learning to manage them and picking them up quickly. Lameness is my biggest thing - is it footyness, bruising, pulled something or the rheumatoid aspect the condition throws up - I just can't tell so it's all time! The global herbs has resulted in the most fantastic improvement in her sweet itch - you wouldnt kniw she has it!!! These were taken two days ago.

 

[fatpiggy]

Sorry, I meant the Horseadvice site with Dr O. Wow, Silver does look miles better. Does she still have to wear her jammies? Glad you are having good results with the Global Herbs product. I've used several of them for years and swear by them (provided you can get the horse to eat such pungent substances )

 

[Bettyboo222]

I thought it was the popularfurball

Are you stalking me ?

 

[popularfurball]

This is a picture diary for this episode - I hope sometime it will help someone else...

Lethargic and swollen

Started to lose hair under tummy where swelling was

Then sores like this appeared on her body

Until this happened

Then I started to ride her again

To this

... Hopefully this will give someone some positivity as there is so many bad stats on the internet. We take each day as it comes - some days bad, some days good but we work day to day and enjoy it and try not to worry about the future. She lost 100kg in sx months - thats the same as 16stone!

 

[popularfurball]

Just to update again... as there are so many bad outlooks... We went to our first competition (Le Trec) at the weekend - I cried all the way home, I have no idea how we have got here - but Ive ever thankful - and aware it could all go horribly wrong again at any point.