���������������������������������������������� By Marilyn Miller Heath, CVT, MS A middle-aged gelding suddenly develops pink/white spots on his upper eyelids. A mare develops a white streak under her lower eyelid. An older gelding suddenly develops white blotches on his muzzle. No prior injury, no illness and no reason for these changes. What’s going on? The Name Equine Hospital 24/7 Emergency Care Our large animal doctors are also available Mon-Fri for routine on-site or in hospital calls. 215-536-2726 2250 N. Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, PA 18951 www.quakertownvetclinic.com �������������������������������������������� Owner operated, we offer 24-hour coverage of your horse in a secure and safe environment. We also offer retirement plans for elderly or compromised horses. Let us make a difference with your horse. 60 www.EliteEquestrian.us Vitiligo is the term used to define a disorder involving the autoimmune system. Vitiligo affects dogs, cats, horses and even humans. In the horse, vitiligo is exhibited as depigmented areas in any area of the body that has exposed skin (e.g. around the eyes, muzzle, sheath and perineum). There are no clinical signs or any long-term health issues that have been associated with vitiligo. Not a lot of research has been done surrounding the disorder but according to one study back in the 1980s, animals that had vitiligo also had antibodies against pigmented cells in the skin. That makes the link to an autoimmune disorder similar to that of the human. Some additional research in the horse showed a genetic link. It can be linked to the dominant gray coat color gene found in some breeds such as the Arabian, Andalusion and Lipizzaner breeds. of the disorder is vitiligo. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, vitiligo is hereditary but it does not exhibit itself until adulthood. Affected horses tend to develop bleached like areas on the hairless skin but it can also affect the hair coat or hooves. Mostly on the face, it generally develops on the muzzle and around the eyes. The condition may wax and wane and remission may occur but only rarely. Generally considered to be a cosmetic problem, which does not affect the overall health of the horse. Vitiligo is often confused with leukoderma especially when looked up on the Internet. Terms are interchanged and the confusion worsens. They have two distinct meanings. Leukoderma means literally white skin and is applied to any area of skin that should be pigmented or that was previously pigmented. The term is nonspecific when applied to the cause of the pigment loss. Some causes include irritations to the skin, infection, autoimmune condition and sun damage. There is much confusion present when there is no apparent reason for the depigmentation to have occurred thus the lack of a definitive line between leukoderma and vitiligo. ������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Phantom Brook Farm offers assisted veterinary care/convalescent services as directed by your own veterinarian and performed by a certified veterinary technician. Those services include but are not limited to: • Wound care • Foaling and mare care • Hand walking • Leg injuries • Clinical lab test performed on site • Medication dosing • Ice water system therapy • Postoperative care • Lay-ups • Eye treatments • In-stall camera monitoring Joe and Marilyn Heath, CVT, MS 203 Washburn Ave. Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 689-4428 www.phantombrookfarm.com pbfarm@comcast.net
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