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  Discussion on Fungus, Thyroid issue and EPSM
Author Message
New Member:
Gilla

Posted on Saturday, Mar 5, 2005 - 1:00 pm:

I am not sure where to post this but I would like advice on how to treat my mare.
She is a 13 year old haflinger (maybe Belgian cross), overweight with a thyroid value of 1.47, EPSM (which we got under control with Vit E, Selenium and Magnesium) and now a fungus problem.About 6 weeks ago she broke out in hives and after a week or so she developed crusty patches that became eventually bald spots.
She gets 2 small cups of alfalfa pellets per day, plus sunflower seeds, kelp, vitamins in the pm. She is turned out 24/7 in field and run in shed.
1.The vet is suggesting thyroid hormones. I understand that she would need to take those for the rest of her life and I am hesitant. In November her value was 1.37 now it is 1.47. Should I keep waiting and hoping it will get better by itself or are the hormones a good idea?
I am having a tough time keeping weight off her since she is top mare and hogs the hay. We tried a grazing muzzle but it gets frozen and full of ice, so she is miserable with it in the winter.
2.She has a history of getting a fungus but usually only in the summer, never before in the winter (New England)This fungus right now turned out not to be ringworm (Vet did a skin test) but couldn't be identified closer. It does not seem to be contagious. Right now I am treating her with a mixture of desitin, fungal creme, tea tree oil creme, and calendula. Does that sound right? Any other suggestions?
3.I am wondering if she has something systemic going on like a compromised immune system. How can I improve her immune system? Does the feeding plan need improvement?

Thank you for your advice
Gilla
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Mar 6, 2005 - 9:27 am:

Gilla, there is nothing wrong with her thyroids. She is half Haflinger and the other half Percheron. The thyroid values are meaningless, see Equine Diseases » Endocrine Disorders » Hypothyroidism. Haflingers are one of the easiest keeping horses I know and Percherons, when their size is taken into account, is not a difficult keeper. These breeds where bred to work: if you do not work them they will grow fat on a medium-poor quality hay if given free choice. Because this is a nuisance we have decided to label this a disease and we call it Equine Metabolic SynDrOme: see Equine Diseases » Endocrine Disorders » Equine Metabolic SynDrOme (Peripheral Cushings). It gives management suggestions to control the weight.

Concerning the fungus it all depends on the type. Other than ringworm, I cannot think of any other common superficial fungal skin infections, other than Candida perhaps. As this is a questionable diagnosis, we need a good diagnosis to determine our next best step. Can you relate all the information you have on this skin problem?
DrO
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