Dry Cough when ridden - any advice please?

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SunshineTallulah

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Just after some advice really.

Situation is:

May -
*had nosebleed and horrible cough
*was given an inhaler as throat inflamed thought due to allergies
*nosebleed consider to have been result of hard coughing
was scoped later on
*inflammation cleared up
*partial paralysis of the larynx found but not thought to be a problem for what we do

Late November -
*came out of stable one morning with lump and scabs on his chest
*vet came out took bloods and diagnosed low grade virus
*second set bloods done - given all clear and bring back into work

Sunday
*Coughing and farting in trot in the school - dry cough
*However cleared up and was able to continue

Tuesday
*Lunged, coughed on lunge to start with, but it did not persist

Today
*Rode in school, when trotted, dry cough reappeared but persisted
*when back to walk, odd noise from his nose, can liken it to when you have phlegm or something in your airways (sorta like a chewing gum thwack)
*trotted again, dry cough still there and he would be ok for awhile but then would cough again, a whole body cough (but no farting!)

The cough is a lot worse when ridden.

I am soaking his hay from now on, though the hay is good. He is stabled on rape straw.... has been on it for two weeks.

He is an 18 yo ISH.

Any suggestions? Is is another vet job????
 
I'd say it was another vet job yes. Interesting about the partial paralysis of the larynx - I wonder if the other side is going.....
 
You say you have only recently changed him to rape straw, maybe that is irritating him, many older horses with respiratory problems cannot cope with straw or dry hay. I would personally get the vet out again, but I would feed him haylage and try to change him to a more dust free environment, but if he is stabled in an open bardn system, he will inhale any other airborne particles, from his neighbours.

The problem with soaking his hay, apart from being a tiresome job, is that it makes the hay lose its nutritional value and an 18 year old horse will feel that loss, especially in winter.

Another thing to consider, is the surface of the school, is it a dusty surface ?
 
He is in a barn environment. All the stables at our yard are open plan - apart from a handful which are self enclosed (if you know what I mean) but these are full.

He was fine before I put him on the Rape Straw. I guess it is finely chopped and could be not good when inhaled.

My only other option for bedding is Aubiose (v expensive) or straw (he eats straw which is a right pain!!). I wonder if it is the rape straw that is irritating him? Didnt even think of that.

Re the hay, I am literally just sticking it under the tap for a min to wet it down rather than really giving it a good soak.

The school is outdoors and the last couple of days has had a frosty covering, so not dusty at all.....
 
Take him off rape straw. My friend's cob is allergic to rapeseed and at our old yard we had to keep them on bliss which is rape. He had a dry cough, runny nose and eyes and only after further investigation did we realise bliss is rape (after YO told us it was hemp so we wouldn't change) and we changed it immediately. He is so much better but because he was on it for so long, he has never gone back to being completely normal as he was, but it doesn't hinder him in any way.
 
i think i'd point the finger straight at the rape straw. is there no way you could use a different bedding, e.g. cardboard (cleanest of the lot)? it mulches down brilliantly, in case your YO doesn't like the idea of it.
i'd see whether a change of bedding makes a difference before i rang the vet.
i'd only walk him until the cough stops, tbh.
hope he improves quickly!
 
Thanks all!

Have a horrible feeling this is the case! Typical when I have just stocked up on the stuff.

I have the choice of straw (oat, wheat & barley) but he eats it!
Or aubiose.......

Nightmare!

I will speak to YM, though have a feeling will be told no other options allowed (Farmer uses it on the land).......
confused.gif
 
Could you not use Dixons dustless - this is a chopped straw and is treated to make it not tasty - good alternative and fine on mats or normal bed, I have used it for years. Muck out like you would shavings.
 
wheat straw and go over it lightly with water and eucolyptis oil that will stop him from eating ita nd help with his cough. soak his hay aswell!
 
Thanks babybells.

The rape straw he is on is :

Double dust extracted short chopped rape straw and eucalyptus oil. A slightly coarser product but very absorbent and breaks down exceptionally well. Can be used on its own or as a base material for new beds. Suited to situations where an economical and very absorbent bed is required. Easy to manage.
 
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