Irritated Skin, Hair Loss and Alopecia in Horses

  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

There are many causes of hair loss with or without skin irritation in horses. The article below is designed to help you go through some of the most common differentials, and help you decide what the sure likely problem. The different diseases are divided by their primary clinical signs. However, all these diseases crossover and can cause other symptoms that may be confusing. For instance some diseases which are not normally itchy may develop a hypersensitivity reaction resulting in scratching, and hair loss. Usually in these cases a primary skin disease is noticed prior to the scratching so it is important to consider the first symptoms seen as the primary disease and give greater weight to those symptoms. Some of the conditions considered in this article are:

• Ringworm or Dermatophytosis
• Rain Rot or dermatophilus
• Grease Heel or Scratches
• Onchocerciasis
• Chronic Selenium Poisoning
• Spring Hair Loss
• Photosensitization and Sunburn

This article discusses the different appearances of diseases that cause hair loss with and without irritated skin. Once you think you know what disease you have you can follow the links for a discussion on treatment.

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