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  Discussion on Mare just foaled now losing mane?
Author Message
New Member:
powellh

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008 - 7:37 pm:

Hi I have a 7 yr old Quarter horse that had her foal 12 days ago. A few days later her mane started falling out. She is a little flaky but not real terrible. I don't no if she needs more minerals or what? About two weeks before she foaled she got vaccines. Here are some pics of what it is looking like. Thanks for any help.P.J.'s hair falling out after foalingP.J.'s Mane falling out today
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008 - 8:16 pm:

Wow that is remarkable hair loss, no idea what might cause that. She isn't on a round bale feeder is she.

Congrats on the baby.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 - 11:57 am:

Hello Heather,
Boy the images are quite remarkable. Is there anywhere else that the skin or hair coat looks abnormal? This does not look much like a deficiency but too much selenium (toxicosis) can cause problems though the tail and other systems are usually effected also. Arsenic poisoning, mimosa poisoning, mercury poisoning, and staph folliculitis, could be on that list but they too should have other symptoms...hmmm, without any other symptoms to draw from a whole physical exam, history, and is still no diagnosis found, biopsy the area indicated.

Though not typical it most closely resembles "alopecia areata" which is a poorly understood inflammatory folliculitis seen in horses and humans. In humans this has been associated with endocrine events (pregnancy and birth would qualify) in some cases. Biopsy is the way to diagnose it and a absolute diagnosis should be sought before beginning therapy, which is immunosuppressive.
DrO
Member:
bluedog1

Posted on Friday, Apr 11, 2008 - 11:40 am:

Hi Dianne, I just wanted to say that I have had three children and after each birth, I noticed my hair was coming out very easily. (big handfulls in the shower). I did not, however go bald! :-) I know this is pretty common among humans, perhaps readjusting hormones. Dr. O, could it be similar in horses?
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