PLEASE HELP - What On Earth Is This???

[QueenOfCadence]

Hey guys

My best friend has a Vlaam x Boerperd mare with the strangest skin condition. Vets have no idea what it is and are boggled by it, she's treated it with creams and even antibiotics suggested by the vet at one stage. Nothing seems to even be touching it and it's getting progressively worse with age???

Anyone have ANY idea what it might be (it's basically hairfall but only in specific lines on her skin):

 

[minime]

Has she done blood test for allergies?

 

[QueenOfCadence]

Has she done blood test for allergies?

^ Yes and been treated for all kinds of infections as well. Have basically tried every cream on the market along with antibiotics described by the vet (who is also boggled!)

 

[kerilli]

she's turning into a zebra.
sorry, couldn't resist.
umm, are the lines the same as her sweat lines? if so it might be whatever she's been washed in, or her saddle pad or rugs have been washed in. i'm clutching at straws but i'd re-wash all her kit, everything, in a weak non-bio wash and rinse it all about 4 times...

 

[QueenOfCadence]

she's turning into a zebra.
sorry, couldn't resist.
umm, are the lines the same as her sweat lines? if so it might be whatever she's been washed in, or her saddle pad or rugs have been washed in. i'm clutching at straws but i'd re-wash all her kit, everything, in a weak non-bio wash and rinse it all about 4 times...

She sweats normally. It's been like this for years but is only now becoming a serious worry because she's starting to look like a zebra (it started only on her flank but she now has it on her neck, hindquarters and stomach as well)

 

[Maesfen]

She sweats normally. It's been like this for years but is only now becoming a serious worry because she's starting to look like a zebra (it started only on her flank but she now has it on her neck, hindquarters and stomach as well)

If the skin isn't inflamed/distressed which you didn't say it was then TBH, I wouldn't worry about it, it's just cosmetic.
Is it in ridges or is the skin still smooth and it's just hair colour?

 

[kerilli]

If the skin isn't inflamed/distressed which you didn't say it was then TBH, I wouldn't worry about it, it's just cosmetic.
Is it in ridges or is the skin still smooth and it's just hair colour?

ditto this, i have seen this before.
clipping might help, but be very careful there's no allergy to the clipper oil i guess...

 

[popularfurball]

Have they looked at pemphigus?

My pony balls annually if it doesn't bother her, I try to not let it bother me - try and remind muswlf its like my dad going bald!!!!!!

Any pics of the skin close up?

 

[Uniique]

I'm not too sure on exact details but could find out if require. A friend of mine had a horse that was allergic to its own sweat....yup it's own sweat cuasing skin problems. Just a though x x

 

[QueenOfCadence]

I'm not too sure on exact details but could find out if require. A friend of mine had a horse that was allergic to its own sweat....yup it's own sweat cuasing skin problems. Just a though x x

His own sweat??? How strange!

The stripes nearly completely dissapear in winter (it's summer here at the moment) - they're less apparent when clipped than they are in summer time, but you can still see them

Wintercoat:

I dont have any close up pics, but will try to get some

 

[bordermare]

look at Blaschko's lines.

Might be possible in a horse?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaschko's_lines

 

[bordermare]

http://www.pamgrace.com/Pages/StarInStripes.html

stripy horse