Bald patches?????

[merlinsquest]

Merlin has a few (about 10) round penny size bald patches dotted randomly around his person!!!

I thought that they were the result of playing in the field as they look like little bites where the hair and top layer of skin has been pinched off with teeth.

But they are also under his rug..... and in some cases they have the remains of a thick layer of skin with hair in, waiting to be pulled off.

They are not pussy underneath like classic rain scald, and dont seem to be painful, itchy or particularly raw..... just very similar to when a horse bites another one.

He wont let me pick at them with fingers, but quite happy to be brushed and scrubbed with a plastic curry comb.... so obviously not sore!!!... He hates being picked for any reason, even mud being picked off promotes a panic reaction!!!!

I will ring the vet in the morning, but wondered if anyone has any suggestions.......

 

[Henbug]

could it be ringworm

 

[merlinsquest]

Well...... could be...... never seen it really, and doesnt look like the pics on google but......

.....it says usually its on the face neck and limbs ...... his are all on his body and are really far apart.....

Its not like the rain scald that i have seen before either.... where you pick a chunk of fur and skin off and there is a pussy layer underneath..... his all look quite healthy.

Weird!!!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Lice? Rampant at the mo. Vets in S Wales have run out of Frontline for horses.

 

[merlinsquest]

Do lice just cause the bald patches????? I thought they would get all itchy and rub bald patches away..... these look like round horse bites.

Will check for lice in the morning...... having two girls with long hair, I should be a dab hand at spotting any creepy crawlies!!!!

Thanks though...... not sure what is worse lice or ringworm.

Thinks I might sell him and get a nice hairy one!!!!!

 

[Booboos]

Do they look anything like this? This (after numerous vet visits and tests!) is an allergy, non-specific cause, no treatment!

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[merlinsquest]

Yes..... just like that!!!!! Eeek.....

Did hers have a thin scab which then took off the hair with it???

I have shown a few people who have had experience of ringworm and they think its not that.....

I now think they are either bites .... as I have found a few that definately are

or just bald patches!!!!

Glad its not the lurgie though!!!

 

[Booboos]

Yes, a very thin scab, you almost would not call it a scab as it is not hard or flacky or horrible at all. Cakey's patches are not itchy or irritating in any way. Vet never thought it was ringworm, tried treating for lice, mites, etc. - no effect. Eventually did biopsy and sent off to specialist, who came back with the allergy. Cakey doesn't get it in the summer (when he lives out with no rugs), or where he is clipped, and he is A LOT better if we use a fleece cooler rug under all his rugs - a friend suggested it might be small pockets of moisture trapped under the rug causing the allergy and the fleece seems to help.

Hope this of help to you as well!

 

[merlinsquest]

Yes thanks..... it does sound the same.

He lived out all winter with a rambo duo on and was fine..... as soon as I changed it to a summer turnout he went bald

Oh well as long as I know its not catching then he will just have to get on with it

Thanks

 

[Booboos]

Well I wouldn't want to diagnose for you!!! Next thing you know your whole yard could be full of patchy horses. I would call the vet out, try the usual treatment for ringworm, bacterial, lice, etc. which doesn't generally cost that much and if it's none of these things, then it is likely to be an allergy.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

It's alright MQ is such a drama queen, I've seen Merlin's bald patches and some are definitely horse bites and the others look like either smaller bites or allergic reactions, none of them are round or bare even the slightest resemblance to ringworm. No lice either (though MQ is a bit of a nit!!!!).

 

[merlinsquest]

Drama Queen????????? how very dare you!!!!

I love my horsey..... bald bits and all!!!!!

 

[merlinsquest]

Booboos...... sorry I should have updated this post..... I did out on another post say that he had now been treated with Dermoline for lice (he didnt have) and Fungatrol for ringworm (he also didnt have) but just to be sure that he didnt pass anything on........ but I agree that its better to be safe than sorry....... also the sun was out and it was a good excuse for a bath!!!!

The other post was about how soon would his coat be waterproof again, so not really connected to this one

I think what is biting him is large, bay and he calls him his mate!!!

He must be allergic to his companion