Hot, itchy and scabby!

[Paula18]

How attractive have i made my horse sound!!
Any bright ideas, I think i possibly know the answer but trying to avoid it. My Sec D is 23 this year, had a really bad year last year, Lammi, COPD, Rain Scald etc. The lammi was apparently not cushings related although he hasnt been tested for it.
My boy gets hot really easily but even with the lightest of rugs on his mane is always wet, his face very slightly damp on occasions and generally overheating. He has a trace clip. Even during the really cold weather he was sweating in a light fleece. at the back end of last year i had the vet out as he started getting scabs under his saddle area. Vet thought it might be lice but wasnt and said it was rainscald - not convinced though. he has it back again and is again very itchy with it. He's quite down in himself at the moment when in his stable although he brightens up when worked so dont know if thats just the winter blues.
I'm debating having him tested for cushings, dont know too much about it though he isnt drinking excessively or struggling to throw his coat. Apart from the scabs his coat is lovely and shiny when its dry!
I dont know if its just that he's hot and the heat is causing the skin problems or whether its something more sinister. He's in nothing more than a cooler during the day and a lightweight stable rug at night which is usually damp in the morning. My friend said it was just condensation but why are none of the other horses wet every day?
Any bright ideas or simply a kick up the butt to get that test done appreciated.
Scared Mum!

 

[rlhnlk]

What is his weight like? He is the total opposite of my sec d who is just nicely warm in 2 HW rugs.

What has the vet said about this, it could be worth getting bloods done, and also checking for cushings as they don't always have all the symptoms.

Also could you fully clip him to make him more comfortable, plus it would be easier drying him off with less coat?

 

[Izzwizz]

Was going to suggest full clip too and get in touch with a vet. Sweating like that isnt normal and I would be concerned about dehydration too.

 

[Paula18]

He's not dehydrated, seem to have got the rug situation under control on his body but his mane is still wet. Have spoken with my vet today and she is coming next week to take bloods for cushings and test glucose levels etc. Still scared but have read that the medication has a positive impact so at least if i know what it is it can be treated. Thanks for replying.

 

[rlhnlk]

Double check this with your vet but this is how my understanding of cushings goes:

Cushings is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland which causes the body to release abnormal levels of hormones.

Most older horses will have some level of cushings although some may not have any symptoms etc

Some may show some symptoms but not all.

I was told this by my vet because my old welsh occasionaly shows one symptom, she gets fatty deposits above her eyes. He said that she probably has cushings to some degree but just to watch her for further symptoms and if any show then gether tested.

It could be that your lad is in the beginning stages, but it might not mean any huge lifestyle changes, although obviously with his breed continue to keep a close eye out for signs of laminitis.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[stilltrying]

Just a quick word of warning about clipping before the vet sees - mine had a few scabs under his girth area back in early winter, I just assumed he was getting hot under his winter coat and clipped. Turns out it was skin infection similar to rainscald and clipping it spread it like wildfire!! Total nightmare to treat after that as it involved shampooing him from head to foot daily, not ideal in winter!

 

[Paula18]

rlhnlk - thankyou for that you've really put my mind at ease. I've been really scared but the more i think about it if he has got it then its better for him that we know and he can be treated for it. It was the abnormality of the pituitary gland that made me wonder if he had it given that he's been getting so hot. I am hoping that if he does have it then its early days and meds will slow down the progression. Still hope he hasnt got it though!
stilltrying- thankyou for that too! I was considering fully clipping him but to be honest the last lot of the skin infection cleared up pretty well with pethadine bathing so i think i will crack on with that. My vet also said its an infection similar to rainscald so they may have had similar but unfortunately its re-occured.
As for the sweating i had a thought just in case it interests any of you. As i mentioned my boy has always been warm, never needed thick rugs even when i have fully clipped him. I bought him some equilibrium magnetic stable chaps in August 09. After 6 weeks the magnets had all snapped and i sent them back. Equilibrium said that the magnets had snapped due to the temperature of the horse. I've taken the chaps off the last couple of nights and he has been totally dry in the morning since doing so. I'm wondering whether he was getting too hot with the added heat from having the chaps on. Still going ahead with the test on Tuesday but it seems possible that it may have had an impact. Boy seems much brighter last 2 days too, getting back to his cheeky self but think the test will at least put my mind at rest if anything.
Thanks again all, much appreciated x