Cough

[Marilyn]

hi there, my two year old has got a cough, I noticed it on thursday when I got him in and he coughed about 6 times in a row and then stopped and that was the end of it for that day! then, over the past week, I've perhaps heard him cough every other day but it's not a hacking cough, he doesn't have swollen glands, there's no snotty nose and he's fine in himself. I wonder if he has had some dusty hay that aggravated him so I'm now soaking it. I've also put him on garlic...is there anything else I can do?

 

[brightmount]

I would suspect the hay. We've had an awful batch with thistles and weeds right through it that I'm sure was responsible for my horse coughing this past week, so her hay is now soaked and I haven't heard the cough. I've also topped up her ration with horsehage high fibre as a treat and because soaking hay reduces its goodness.

 

[Marilyn]

we have had a few thistley bales. My other horse hasn't been coughing but the day the two year old started, she hadn't eaten all of her hay so I think you're right. Is there anything i can given him to make his cough better?

 

[vicster]

I would firstly say the hay - however mine had this last year and he had a virus - he was coughing up a load of goo and when the vet came we found out that he actually had the equivilent to asthma and he has an inhaler type thing and everything - don't think it is anything to panic about but just keep an eye on him and maybe soak your hay that usually helps

 

[Marilyn]

I've been keeping a close eye on his nose and if he's coughing uo anything and there's nothing there. I tried to steam the hay to stop it losing it's goodness but wasn't convinced so went ack to a brief soaking!

 

[vicster]

It's good that he isn't bringing anything up so don't be too worried - sometimes the change in weather can do it too - hope he gets better soon

 

[Marilyn]

thanks!