What could be causing this wrinkled skin on my mare?

[ester]

Frank has wrinkly elbows and am sure his neck does that- but think most do if you bend them that much?, his back legs aren't though.

He would also be deemed dehydrated most of the time if you skin tested him, but has been the same for the last 10 years.

Now he has had a previous period of being fat so maybe it doesn't spring back so much like people .

 

[Equi]

Does she have wrinkles under her throat latch and on her cheeks Equi?

I can't remember but I'll look today. There are some under her arm pits. Pal mare doesn't have any but on her neck.

She's on a diet as mentioned. My animals live on a diet

 

[Silverfire]

I can't remember but I'll look today. There are some under her arm pits. Pal mare doesn't have any but on her neck.

Could you check their gums too please - press gum and see if white spot goes in 2 secs. My mares gums are slow changing, IrelandSpirits gelding also has slow changing gums.

Anyone reading this could you check your horses today please and see if when you turn their neck slightly does their skin wrinkle down their neck. Some of mine do and some don't. The mother of my two who is fat and old (28) does not have wrinkles down her neck when she turns her head.

 

[Aperchristmas]

Does the vet want to investigate the low potassium any further? It does sound a little bizarre. My mini does get wrinkly skin when he is overweight, so it could be a weight issue, but I would want to find out more about the potassium anyway.

 

[Equi]

Could you check their gums too please - press gum and see if white spot goes in 2 secs. My mares gums are slow changing, IrelandSpirits gelding also has slow changing gums.

Anyone reading this could you check you

r horses today please and see if when you turn their neck slightly does their skin wrinkle down their neck. Some of mine do and some don't. The mother of my two who is fat and old (28) does not have wrinkles down her neck when she turns her head.

Will do when I go down again. She does tend to have some wrinkles under the neck.

 

[Equi]

This is how big my pal mate used to be. This was the summer I got her (I had her about 1 month by this stage) the next photo is the following spring. It's hard work and it's still happening but she seems to have plateud.

 

[Silverfire]

Does the vet want to investigate the low potassium any further? It does sound a little bizarre. My mini does get wrinkly skin when he is overweight, so it could be a weight issue, but I would want to find out more about the potassium anyway.

The vet suggested giving her an electrolyte supplement with Potassium in it then retesting her in a month or two.

According to this link low potassium is actually caused by low sodium http://equine.uckele.com/Resources-Articles/cat/drkellon/post/ElectrolytesDrKellon/

I've copied and pasted these paragraphs.

Low Potassium is actually Sodium Deficiency. The body puts a priority on preserving sodium. If levels are low, the kidneys will excrete more potassium instead of sodium. Potassium in the typical equine diet is actually very generous. To correct the problem of low blood potassium, increase sodium to meet needs.

When the body is low on sodium, a hormone called antidiuretic hormone kicks in. This limits the amount of urine/fluid produced by the kidneys. Fluid retention in the tissues outside of the blood stream can result. Try meeting the horse's sodium requirements first. This will usually take care of the problem.

 

[Equi]

Hmm very interesting. My lot have a salt lick and they use it if I leave it in their stable overnight but usually run past it if it's in the field. I'll maybe try getting one each for the stable rather than just the one big tub.