pitter_patter
Well-Known Member
Has anyone EVER seen anything like this before?
Hair loss
- Thread starter pitter_patter
- Start date
JenHunt
Well-Known Member
i'd say photosensitivity if it wasn't for there being no sun currently... otherwise my guess would be that he's itchy and been rubbing on something, possibly feather mite?
vetsbestfriend
Well-Known Member
Not seen anything like that personally on the legs without it being mudfever with associated scabs etc, but your horse's skin does not look to have scabs although is rather pink. Has your vet recommended anything to use to help or said what it might be?
There have been quite a few posts on here recently about hair loss, some horses on their legs, others on the body area etc. Might be worthwhile doing a search and having a read through.
Good luck!
There have been quite a few posts on here recently about hair loss, some horses on their legs, others on the body area etc. Might be worthwhile doing a search and having a read through.
Good luck!
Solstar
Well-Known Member
it looks like it may be some sort of mite- it looks like my friends horses legs when his are bad- hes on an injection of something every 4 weeks to prevent (i think its to prevent) this. he's a cob, with clipped legs.
pitter_patter
Well-Known Member
Vet is being called out this week as I am concerned about this and the rapid loss as this has happened in 24 hours!!
I have differing opinions from my yard.
I think Mud fever (however we have limited winter turnout and you can see how clean his legs are) but the horse hasn't been out for a while.
Horses legs swelled this week and were very puffy Monday & Tuesday, but we thought it was due to being stabled. But think this may have been a warning to what was about to happen. Horse gets regularly ridden due to lack of turnout.
YO thinks allergic reaction as horse has been pig oiled, however the horse has been pig oiled regularly for 4 weeks and been pig oiled in the past without this reaction.
I have also heard rain scald and eczema?
Legs are warm to touch, but horse is not lame, although he appears itchy and fed-up, but not stamping his feet. No signs of infection and the skin underneath appears to be of good quality/condition.
It looks really bad though
I have differing opinions from my yard.
I think Mud fever (however we have limited winter turnout and you can see how clean his legs are) but the horse hasn't been out for a while.
Horses legs swelled this week and were very puffy Monday & Tuesday, but we thought it was due to being stabled. But think this may have been a warning to what was about to happen. Horse gets regularly ridden due to lack of turnout.
YO thinks allergic reaction as horse has been pig oiled, however the horse has been pig oiled regularly for 4 weeks and been pig oiled in the past without this reaction.
I have also heard rain scald and eczema?
Legs are warm to touch, but horse is not lame, although he appears itchy and fed-up, but not stamping his feet. No signs of infection and the skin underneath appears to be of good quality/condition.
It looks really bad though
Tiggy1
Well-Known Member
Our cattle did something similar but that was an allergic reaction to a plant which then made them photosensitive.
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
Liver failure can cause photosensitivity. So can eating wort plants in the field. If there is no wort in your grazing, you might think about having him tested for liver problems if the mite suggestion doesn't pan out.
Vizslak
Well-Known Member
Oh my word, I didn't realise it was that bad!
Was going to post something funny about him wanting to look like his dad!
Has he had any boots or bandages on? Any change in bedding? It does look more like an allergy to something rather than mites/mudfever/photosensitivity as generally there would be scabbing as well
Was going to post something funny about him wanting to look like his dad!
Has he had any boots or bandages on? Any change in bedding? It does look more like an allergy to something rather than mites/mudfever/photosensitivity as generally there would be scabbing as well
pitter_patter
Well-Known Member
Well I think there IS some scabbing as when you run your hand down his legs the hair has some kind of scabbing/dried yellow serum stuff stuck to the hair......? No boots or bandages other than his travel boots which were on for 30 mins.
This IS the worst leg BTW.
I'm a bit worried about the liver failure suggestion
This IS the worst leg BTW.
I'm a bit worried about the liver failure suggestion
Vizslak
Well-Known Member
Ah I see...then photosenitivity would be my first opinion. Eaten or walked in something unsavoury. There are many things (plant wise) that cause it. It doesn't neccessarily mean liver failure though, don't panic. His blaze and nose are ok?? They would usually be affected too if he had ingested something to cause liver damage in turn causing photosensitivity. More likely to be something his legs have come into contact with I reckon. Will stuck his head in something in the summer remember?? He had it on his nose...little sod not karked it yet and it cleared up in a few weeks so don't think any liver damage was done
I would stop pig oiling to remove scabs though and leave them to scab over until the vets had a look.
shellonabeach
Well-Known Member
"some kind of scabbing/dried yellow serum stuff stuck to the hair"
My grey mare (pink skin) gets hair loss like your boy but at its worst was on all 4 legs and both sides at one point one of her front legs looked like a bald chicken
The hair literally fell out as you touched it.
My mares started last year after the snow and this year after the heavy frost.
I put mine down to mud fever even though she wasn't in any mud! Your description of the yellow serum makes me think maybe that's what your boy has. Last year I did wonder if it was a reaction to pig oil (haven't used it this year) My girls legs lost hair where your boy has about 8 weeks ago and it is now coming back, she was living out but has been stabled at nights.
I have the vet coming out this week for jabs and am going to ask him to take a look at her as friends have mentioned mites and I was wondering whether it could be a fungal infection. I will also ask him about liver failure
My grey mare (pink skin) gets hair loss like your boy but at its worst was on all 4 legs and both sides at one point one of her front legs looked like a bald chicken
My mares started last year after the snow and this year after the heavy frost.
I put mine down to mud fever even though she wasn't in any mud! Your description of the yellow serum makes me think maybe that's what your boy has. Last year I did wonder if it was a reaction to pig oil (haven't used it this year) My girls legs lost hair where your boy has about 8 weeks ago and it is now coming back, she was living out but has been stabled at nights.
I have the vet coming out this week for jabs and am going to ask him to take a look at her as friends have mentioned mites and I was wondering whether it could be a fungal infection. I will also ask him about liver failure
Box_Of_Frogs
Well-Known Member
At this time of year the sun is too weak to cause photosensitivity. Is your horse in a very muddy field? It looks to me like bog burn. Bog burn happens to well feathered horses that stand in mud too long. The abrasive gritty bits in the mud act like sandpaper and wear all the hair away. Once the skin is exposed, it may very well be sore. I'd gently hibiscrub the area and dry carefully and well before putting a tough barrier cream on before the next turnout. Or turn out into a less muddy field if possible.
If ned's field isn't muddy, no idea!
If ned's field isn't muddy, no idea!
pitter_patter
Well-Known Member
Will be contacting vet today, so I'll let you all know when I get some info!