Getting over a virus

Twinkle Twinkle

Twinkle Twinkle

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Dom was diagnosed as having a virus about 5 weeks ago. The vet told me to rest him, so l gave him 3 weeks off then l got the vet back out {was a diffrent vet} he was still very weezy and still coughing a little. this 1 told me to start riding him again so for the last 2 weeks been lightly riding him round the village but he still seems to be the same so vet is coming back out next week he says he probably needs respradrill but l think he needs a antibiotic has anyone else had a horse that has taken a while to get over a virus .
 
Did they not give him antibiotics at the time?

Finni is poorly at the mo - although not as bad as yours and has Trimethoprim. Am thinking his is actually Cellulitus though rather than a virus.
 
I am afraid if it is a virus antibiotics will have no effect. Antibiotics are only effective on bacteria type infection. Whilst there are things that will help it is ultimately time that will cure.

With luck it should clear up in a few weeks but I did have one horse that had 5 months off with a virus.
 
He was diagnosed as having a upper respitary viral infection was given a vitamen c injection and was told to give him double dose of garlic which l have been doing and the vet said if this did not work he would give me respradrill. H e seems better in himself he gave me a lively ride the other day l just worry if it will leave any long term problems.
 
You are right to take it carefully. My horse had a virus in March and he developed respiratory problems. At his worst he had to have ventipulman injected into his veins because he was coughing up dust. We put him on haylage and shavings and I also fed him red cell (his counts were very low) which I hink did make a difference and echinacea. In total he had about 12 weeks off work, and his breathing is slightly compromised even today. It as definitely worth being patient and not bringing him back too soon. I would listen to your own gut feel. I took what the vet said and gave him another two weeks because I flt it was too soon.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on x

Jane
 
l started dom on redcell to which l think as helped him. Can you buy echinacea from the health store l might try that to. Dom wont eat halage so l steam his hay and he is on shavings.
 
Good stuff! Don't overdo the red cell if Dom is an excitable type it can send them a bit loopy!!
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You should be able to get the echinacea from your local saddlery - NAF does one, here http://www.naf-uk.com/echinlqd.html

Glad to hear he is perking up!

J x
 
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