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Daniel Ferguson
New Member
Username: Drfergie
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 9:57 pm: |   |
This is my first post so bear with me. My 5yo mare paint horse is losing her mane. I have researched this sight and have not found a previous posting. while grooming her a couple of weeks ago I noticed that an excessive amount of hair came out of her mane. I thought that it was no big deal but this week i was looking at her mane and it is wearing very thin. If you run your fingers through it you come away with several strains in your hand. I would suspect Selenium toxicity but no hoof problems or laminitis. The odd part is that it seems to be just in the white parts of her mane. the black part and the tail, also black, seem to be fine. I have been treating with M-T-G for a week but with no real change. I'm at a loss here, if it continues I will be forced to shave off what is left and will still not know why it fell out, please help. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10386
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 7:44 am: | |
Why would you suspect Se toxicity Daniel? Does the skin look irritated or are any of the hairs broken as though there has been rubbing?
DrO |
Daniel Ferguson
Member
Username: Drfergie
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 8:50 am: | |
sorry let me clarify. all the research that I did the olny thing I could find that made any reference to mane loss was attributed to that. I should have left that out or stated that better in my first posting. I just cant seem to find anything that would cause just the mane hair to be lost. there is no sign of rubbing or broken hairs. no signs of skin irritation. I think the oddest thing is that it effects only the white hair. any ideas? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10392
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 9:38 am: | |
Daniel the focal hair loss without signs of inflammatory disease of the skin suggests a condition called alopecia areata. Though uncommon it is not rare. It has a number of forms with one being problems seen in the loss of mane or tail hairs (mane and tail dysplasia) and another form being seen in areas of decreased pigmentation (spotted leukotrichia). Put them together and this is what you have. A good physical exam and review of nutrition (see Nutrition Overview) with a emphasis on vitamin and mineral assesment. If no problems are clearly found, a biopsy of the abnormal areas is done. The basis for a diagnosis which is one of ruling out other causes of these symptoms.
It is thought that the problem may be genetic but this is not certain. If this is the problem there are reports that twice daily application of Rogaine has resulted in return of hair.
DrO |
Kimberli Kirby
New Member
Username: Kkirby
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 8, 2004 - 10:34 am: | |
Daniel and Dr. O,
I read your posting as I am currently seeking help for the same or similar condition for my horse, a spotted saddle horse. His mane is thinning dramatically, with the skin area underneath having no apparent irritation or sensitivity. It is just bare. The condition is also just affecting the white part of his mane. The brown areas are not thinning.
This is the first time my horse has encountered this condition. He has always had a very long thick mane.
Other than the mane, he is outwardly very healthy.
I have tried antifungal shampoo and cortisone ointments as treatment so far and needless to say, neither have worked.
I am at a loss as I will soon have a horse with no mane.
From your discussion with Daniel I think it may be related to diet as this is the first spring my horse has been on his current pasture. We moved to a new home late last summer.
Where do I start with trying to identify the source of a possible dietary issue?
Thanks,
Kimberli Kirby
|
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 10600
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 9, 2004 - 6:50 am: | |
Usually the best place to start evaluating a diet is having the feedstuffs analyzed at your regional agricultural extension service but I don't think you will find your answer there.
Nutritional issues or toxicity do not result in the type of focal (only the white) hair loss you are experiencing and there are other signs like poor quality skin and hooves. For more on other causes of hair loss and some pasture issues with hair loss review the article that is associated with this forum.
DrO |
Pam Faubus
New Member
Username: Simba
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 5:09 pm: | |
Well, I too have a hair loss problem. I have a 20 year old arabian gelding, bay that is losing mane AND tail hair. His skin is great, this is the only problem. He is not rubbing, he is wormed regularly and blood pulled every year. He is hypo-thyroid so he is on Thyro-L,timothy hay, beet pulp, some alfalfa/oat pellets and Nutrena Senior Feed (without molasses) and Coca-Soya oil (which he's been on for a couple of years). This condition is really sudden. Any ideas?
Pam |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13582
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 24, 2005 - 8:00 am: | |
Can you post some good pictures of the areas with hair loss Pam? If not can you describe in detail what you are seeing: how much hair is being lost, have completely bald areas developed and if so how large, etc...
Assuming you have a real problem you should follow the suggestions in the earlier posts above. Both the timothy and the beet-pulp are low to barely adequate in protein and may be hard to balance with the concentrate, your diet could be deficient in protein.
You also should read the article on hypothyroidism. Just yesterday I posted a article brief that while thyroxine supplemetation will help reduce weight it does mess with the proper function of the thyroid axis. Too little and too much thyroid hormone can effect any system of the body.
DrO |
Pam Faubus
New Member
Username: Simba
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Aug 24, 2005 - 9:38 pm: | |
Thank you so much for your quick response. His hair on his mane comes out in small handfulls as does his tail hair. I wormed him yesterday with Strongid and will follow-up with Zemectrin in a month just in case this is a contributing factor. I know Timothy varies from 7% to 10% but the Alfalfa is grown for cows and gets up to as much as 35%. Therein lies my problem...I do supplement him with Alfalfa pellets with a 14% protein as does his Senior Feed. He is also very SE sensitive (I had his tail hair analyzed so I'm careful about any SE add in with any feed). I might think that this could be an early shedding of his summer hair but it is just too much and without evidence of body hair loss. Thank you for your suggestion about hypothyroidism article...I'll read it immediately. I'm just frustrated. Should I pull blood? Thanks again!! Pam |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13587
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 25, 2005 - 6:28 am: | |
How much by weight do you supplement and how much does your horse weigh?
DrO |
Pam Faubus
New Member
Username: Simba
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Aug 25, 2005 - 5:25 pm: | |
My horse is 14.3 and weights about 950. Daily, he gets 3lbs of alfalfa/oat pellets, 2 lbs Senior Feed (14% protein) 1/2 cup of cocasoya. I do not add any vitamins. His energy is good.
Thank you!
Pam |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 13593
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 6:03 am: | |
I think I would change the alfalfa/oats to straight alfalfa cubes if the local hay is not suitable. This should get you close to proper protein levels. The decision to pull a blood sample on your horse is best made following an examination, so if you continue to worry about this you should have your vet out to look at the horse.
DrO |
Pam Faubus
New Member
Username: Simba
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Aug 26, 2005 - 1:25 pm: | |
Will do. Thank you so much for your advice, it's much appreciated.
Pam |
