Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

A friends mare has been losing a LOT of hair on her neck, it falls out in clumps.. the area is hot, and it seems to bother her to touch it. Its not ringworm or rainrot..she doesn't have hives or bumps or scabs, so its not likely an allergic reaction, and I don't think she's on any feed supplements; I've heard that the side affect of some supplements is hair loss. Its not in any particular shape, just large blotches all over the sides of her neck ( both sides ) does anyone have any idea what it could be? Its not normal shedding, its completely bald in those areas and its happening FAST.. any help or suggestions are appreciated

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

How do you know it's not ringworm? Have you had her tested? Microsporum ringworm can start as alopecia with no scabs so unelss you'v had a culture done then you can't rule it out.

If the skin is hot and painful then there are only two things this could be - infection or immunological reaction. Infections include ringworm and staphylococcal infection (rainscald, or dermatophilosis, isn't painful, although neither is ringworm usually). Immunological reactions are going to either be allergic/contact type - have you used new fly spray, new rug etc? - or autoimmune type. If she was reacting to something you've fed her I would expect it to be over more of her body, and if she has been over- or underdosed on something like selenium the skin wouldn't be hot or painful.

You need to have skin scrapes and a culture done by your vet ASAP in case it is something infectious to other horses, and failing growing anything a biopsy is advisable.

Good luck!

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

I would call a trusted vet because if the mare has something serious, its happening fast and it needs to be taken care of.

That is the only advice that I can give you other than try to keep her skin clean and make sure there aren't any sudden changes in her behavior, then its really time to call the vet.

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

Thyroid

allergic reaction (doesn't have to bumps or hives, feed can cause hair loss, have seen many animals allergic to a certain kind of grass, causing this)

lice

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

you should get her to a vet as soon as posible it could be very dangours

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

She may have mites, lice... I 've heard of this happening with grass allergies.

The mites you would not be able to see without a microscope, they would have to scrape.

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

hair loss can be caused by several things.but in your instance you need to check her temprature.has she had a sudden high fever?is it unseasonally warm?anyway it could be patchy shedding or selenium toxicity.first make sure you have a temperature/heartrate and check the gums of the horse for blood replenishment.for an added help give her a dose of ivermectin just in case it is a parasite in the first stages.

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

The first thing that comes to mind is mange. Does she have a fever, and are her eating/drinking habits normal? Needless to say, get the vet out there ASAP, but it sounds like it could be a skin parasite.

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

the first thing that popped in my mind is a thyroid condition. Get her checked out by a vet ASAP. It may be something else but it is not normal and should be looked into by a professional.

Reasons for sudden and severe hair loss in horses???

call a vet out! it might only be something minor but if it is major calling a vet could save her life