Cough that keeps coming back

[lil_jodz]

My 7yo ISH mare has a cough that i just cant seem to get completely rid of! She has her flu and tetanus regularly! This originally started with her snorting constantly so vet came out and did bloods, came back as a viral infection and gave her a course of antibiotics. Thought it was cleared up until a few weeks later she then developed a cough! Vet recommended rest and a tonic as a "pick me up" so did this for 2 weeks and it went well for another week until the cough reared its head again! Contacted vet again advised to get iron excel, so did this she was on it for a month with no coughing. Shes off it for about 3 days, took her out to ride last night and bang theres that bloody cough again! Anyone able to offer any advise? I know infections are rife at the minute but i just cant shake this at all.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

It might not be an infection per se but an allergy of some description. An allergy such as spores/dust in hay or pollen in the atmosphere will trigger a chain of events in the lungs and this can cause a horse to have an intermittent cough. Diagnosis of viral infection probably just showed increased white blood cell count. I'd be tempted to keep a diary to try to identify a trigger for the cough, that would give you a head start on trying to address it. If you're more worried, you could discuss with your vet doing an endoscopic examination of your horse's lungs to rule things in or out. Good luck.