George seems to have a cold

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Gorgeous George

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As above really, George appears to have whatever the equine equivalent of a cold is and I'm wondering if there is anything else I should be doing. I feel a bit bad because I went out on a hack today and when I asked him to trot he coughed a few times, so we just continued our circuit in walk, at one point I had to trot to get off a bend in the road and we had a couple more coughs
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He did however seem ok, and was quite lively and chirpy.

I gave him a good brush when I got home and again he seemed himself, but he does have a bit of a snotty nose, but no swollen glands and not running a temp. He wasn't all that interested in his tea
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although when I added some carrots to it he shoved it about a bit and then decided to eat it. I rugged him up, and when I left he was happily tucking into his hay
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I think I will give him a few days off (lucky boy), and obviously if he gets worse I'll call the vet. Just don't really know anything about equine colds and snuffles so excuse my ignorance.

Thanks
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Sounds like a virus,which if it is tbh nothing the vet can do really!Just keep an eye on him,if he drinking plenty and eating plenty he will be fine and the virus will run its course,sadly at this time of yr they can struggle to shift it and the cough may stay a while
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advice from my vet was to work as normal but steadily...as in if i trotted and he still coughed keep to walk
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Hope he feels better soon!
 
you can give him benylin my vet told me too- for the cough. Non drowsy just dont tell the pharmacy its for horse they wont give it you!!!! i fed it off wooden spoon my horse licked it off gave her a couple spoons a day. And wrapped her up warm really. also steamed her hay whilst had cough
 
It's not uncommon for horses to develop a cough this time of year due to spending more time in the stable because of the weather. Do you normally wet/steam hay or feed haylage? If this is the cause the "snot" will be whiteish.
 
Would suggest he has a virus. Keep an eye on the snot - just watch incase goes greeny / yellow. Also keep taking his temp - you need to take a few times unless you already know his 'normal' temp? As with us all horses can have a different 'normal' temp, so take his temp regularly to get a feel of his. Also, pinch his skin to check for dehydration.
I would say these are the main things to look for - so temp (regularly), dehydration & the colour of the snot.
As others have said, prob not too much to worry about if all of the above are OK.
Equimins do a good cough syrup - under £10 I think & works really well.
Also, if you think he is only a little under the weather you could try something like 'Propell Plus'. Again under £10 & helps pick them up.
I hope this helps.
 
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