Advice - horse coughing

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sjdress

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My horse has been coughing for about 3 weeks now. A very dry cough, no wheezing and not coughing anything up. Bloods came back normal. She has had ventopulmin and steroids and still has the cough. Vet has suggested scoping would be the next step. Can anyone tell me what they might find by scoping? Another horse on yard had a cough too but his has cleared up after a week on ventopulmin - I asked if it could be a virus and vet didn't seem certain although other horses bloods were up. Any advise ? Is it worth scoping or repeat bloods? Obviously I am getting veterinary advise but just thought I would see if anyone has any experience of this?
 
sjdress said:
My horse has been coughing for about 3 weeks now. A very dry cough, no wheezing and not coughing anything up. Bloods came back normal. She has had ventopulmin and steroids and still has the cough. Vet has suggested scoping would be the next step. Can anyone tell me what they might find by scoping? Another horse on yard had a cough too but his has cleared up after a week on ventopulmin - I asked if it could be a virus and vet didn't seem certain although other horses bloods were up. Any advise ? Is it worth scoping or repeat bloods? Obviously I am getting veterinary advise but just thought I would see if anyone has any experience of this?
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When does she cough (when stabled? when working?) and how intense is it, ie how many coughs in a row, how long between groups of coughs?
 
Are you absolutely sure it is not management related ie eating bedding, dusty hay/haylage, rapeseed fields nearby etc.

Is there any discharge from the nostrils?

If none of these apply then it could very well be a virus, it is very frustrating as a dry cough can rumble on for a while.

Obviously be guided by your Vet - but don't feel that you must scope now.
 
She was originally coughing at rest but now only when worked, usually fine until 20 mins in or so. Mostly at walk.
She is stabled on shavings but it started when living out so vet thought could be pollen related. However as 3 horses on yard have had cough and a few in the local area I am thinking it may be a virus. I think we will repeat bloods and then if that shows nothing and no improvement then guess we will scope
 
I have a pony with similar symptoms, and a horse who has been coughing for a bit longer but it has stopped without treatment. Last year another pony started coughing and within a few days was quite ill with thick nasal discharge and needed antibiotics, ventipulmin. He needed a long rest. I think it is common at this time of year and I do think viruses are also a common cause.
 
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