Cough & snots...

[Sarah1]

Hi Guys

My lad has had an intermittant cough for a week or so, only appears when ridden & even then not every time he's worked. He also has white discharge from his nose, again not constant just every so often.
He's up to date with his jabs, hasn't been anywhere or been in contact with anything that just arrived at the yard (we had a pony a few weeks back but I didn't allow my lad near it for the 1st 2-3 weeks).
He has been a little lethargic but he can also be like that with the extra grass he's gorging (strip grazed) or because he's getting more work.
He recently went back onto his winter paddock as the summer ones have been grazed over winter so there isn't much grass there. Other than that I haven't changed his feed etc.
Do you think it could be due to a change in the weather or maybe pollen?
How should I treat him now, gentle exercise, time off, carry on as normal?
Thanks

 

[lauraandjack]

Could be pollen.

Or more likely he has one of the many minor respiratory viruses that circulate through the horse population. Think common cold for horses! These are so minor and rarely cause a problem so there is no vaccine for them. (Flu is a different story entirely!)

New pony could have brought it in and given it to another horse who has now passed it on to yours? Or someone's horse may have picked it up at a show or something and brought it back to the yard.

If he is ok in himself and still eating ok I would give him a couple of days off or very light work. Probably not a lot to be done about it anyway as doesn't sound bad enough to warrant antibiotics etc. If he's not any better in a few days or is getting worse then give your vet a shout.

 

[Kenzo]

Is your horses TPR any different to normal? any swellings anywhere?

Sometimes it can take a few weeks to shake off a mild infection (little cough,runny nose,bit dull) but if he's eating as normal and there has been no sudden change in his TPR both at rest and the snotty nose is pretty just clear and watery then I'd just give him some rest and keep an eye on him and keep him away from other horses.

If in any doubt then personally I would call the vet anyway after week (even if above is ok) if there is no change or it it is totally out of character (allergy/dusty hay etc), your horse may require some antibiotics, not only that but it will be for other peoples piece of mind and less likely to spread infection around the rest of the yard.

Better to be on the save side.

 

[Sarah1]

He seems absolutely fine and no different to normal really other than the occasional cough and this white discharge occasionally. The discharge doesn't smell etc and is just white, not brown, green, yellow etc.
No swellings & he's eating, well, like a horse!
I tried to keep him away from the new pony & from everything that had been near it so I don't think he'll have picked anything up from that.
I'm guessing it's either pollen, change in weather, or as others have said mild virus.
If he's no better in a week or so I'll have vet out as matter of course.