Best approach to take for a pony that has had a slight cough for a long time

[Tarragon]

As per title. I have a pony that has had a slight cough for a few months. Field-kept so minimum hay, a haynet to nibble on when brought in for handling and riding and he isn't a greedy pony and will very often just eat for 5 minutes then stop, or a slice of hay put out on the ground in the field when weather is bad. Hasn't had any significant nasal discharge and seems well in all other aspects. But the cough has persisted. Not a big cough, or a particularly throaty cough, but he will cough two or three times in the hour he is in or on a ride. Just the one cough at a time. He is in very light work at the moment, only once or twice a week and at walk. It doesn't seem bad enough to get the vet out but it isn't going away either. What would you do?

 

[Widgeon]

I found the Science Supplements RespirAid to be quite good - it won't cure something that needs vet intervention but it does seem to sort out persistent mild coughs. Personally I would try that (it's not cheap but IME cheap stuff rarely works), see if the cough improves as the weather gets better, and then if the cough is STILL hanging around in March I'd get the vet to take a look.

Do you have the vet coming out for jabs etc anyway? I'm a big fan of shamelessly picking my vet's brains for minor niggles. And obviously if it gets worse, or gets worse with increased work, then definitely a vet job asap.

Best of luck getting it sorted, it sounds quite annoying for both of you.

 

[Kirstd33]

Coblet has a dry non productive cough, really only when he has a good roll and shake and/or a rare Holley round the field. The vet listened to his chest and declared it clear so no medication needed. It’s exasperated by dusty hay so we damp his haynets down and also he has a respiratory lick.

 

[tda]

I would definitely try with soaked hay or haylage before starting a supplement. It doesn't tale a lot of hay to set one of mine off coughing

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My pony (profile pic) had a persistent cough which seemed to just go on and on.

I got the vet out, who said we needed to scope her, which we did. Said she had Equine Asthma.

Please OP get your vet out sooner rather than later to look at this. Yes no harm in trying soaked hay, or haylage even, but if this is a persistent cough over several months then I am going to be blunt and say get your vet out to take a look at this.

You firstly need to know what you are dealing with; secondly you may need your vet to prescribe meds. I found that using inhaled meds for mine has been way more effective than oral administration; she isn't actually needing any at the moment, it is in the summer months that she needs them.

 

[meleeka]

There's one at mine like this. Even a handful of dry hay means he coughs a few hours later. Just damping his hay with the hose keeps the cough at bay.