Horse Cough - should I call the vet?

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SWE

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So... horse has recently developed a cough and got a snotty nose (smooth white/cream ish snot) seems perfectly normal in his self otherwise, not got runny eyes, coat looks good, not drinking excessively, gums a healthy colour...

I've started soaking the hay so I don't think it's dust related (Bedding not dusty either). But not really ever had a horse with a cough so I'm not sure what else it would be except from viral/bacterial?

I'm reluctant to call the vet because he literally seems fine otherwise (and it's January!!) but would you just keep an eye or would you be calling the vet?

If anyone's had similar symptoms before would be interested to hear outcome!

TIA
 
How long has he been coughing/had the nasal discharge?
Just based on the colour of it, I'd be inclined to at least speak to my vet if it was my horse
 
Auslander said:
How long has he been coughing/had the nasal discharge?
Just based on the colour of it, I'd be inclined to at least speak to my vet if it was my horse
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I heard him cough once about 5 days ago, but only really been coughing/mucus for about 3 days
 
Auslander said:
How long has he been coughing/had the nasal discharge?
Just based on the colour of it, I'd be inclined to at least speak to my vet if it was my horse
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Also, do you/other people find your vets are happy to discuss questions over the phone prior to coming out?
 
Two of my young horses presented this way in July. Six months off work, months of steroids and meds, swabs and lab testing, plus several scopes and several thousands of pounds later they are now commencing fittening work.
 
SWE said:
Also, do you/other people find your vets are happy to discuss questions over the phone prior to coming out?
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Yes I have mobile numbers for all the vets if I need to discuss something, sometimes its just a question other times we discuss and depending on the symptoms they come out or tell me to continue with x,y,z and phone them later or next day, if I am worried they come straight out (Fathers Day, with him with a bed head and his day off once) I grovelled but no need to as it was an emergency so he was lovely
 
Has the horse potentially been exposed to other horses who could have passed a virus on?

I'd call my vet to be honest, and book an appt before the end of the week.

Fiona
 
A couple of mine got a cough a few months back. One had had a lesson with one who had a cough a week or so before. They were fine in themselves, it cleared in a month.
 
Any cough or snot that’s not normal needs the vet to be made aware. My horse had a niggly cough with clear snot for a couple of days and quick trip to vet and she got an antibiotic and in a few days was cough free again.
 
Do you have rubber mats in your stable? I believe they were part of the problem that made my horse cough every winter as the wee collects under them. I no longer use mats and he hasn't coughed this year (although also on haylage and Laysoft bedding)
 
I don't know where you are, but we had a virus go thru the whole yard just about in the late autumn and a couple are still coughing a little. I was the only one who got the vet out, most just tried their own remedies with varying success. If he were mine, yes I'd definitely be calling the vet out. These viruses can be dangerous.
 
SWE said:
Also, do you/other people find your vets are happy to discuss questions over the phone prior to coming out?
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Absolutely. My vet is always happy to chat things through over the phone, so we can decide whether she needs to come out or not. It's a 70 mile round trip, so we'd both rather she didn't come out unless it was absolutely necessary!
 
I'd start by taking temperature & if normal then phone the vet for their advice. They'll know if something is going around. Obviously if temp not normal then I'd want them out.
 
Thanks all, going to call and ask to speak to a vet tomorrow morning.

I haven't taken temperature... really need to get myself a thermo for the yard, will pick one up tomorrow too and check it.

Thanks all, fingers crossed nothing serious!
 
My horse started coughing last January sounds similar to yours with the cough and snot. Soaked hay, change of bedding course of antibiotics; steroids; inhalers eventually resolved. Hope its nothing serious.
 
Your horse has a change in its condition and is showing signs of illness. You don't know why. Of course you call the vet.
 
SWE said:
Thanks all, going to call and ask to speak to a vet tomorrow morning.

I haven't taken temperature... really need to get myself a thermo for the yard, will pick one up tomorrow too and check it.

Thanks all, fingers crossed nothing serious!
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Good Luck tomorrow and I hope its nothing to worry about

Don't beat yourself up about the thermometer, easily bought at a supermarket or pharmacy,
I pride myself on having a first aid kit fit for half of Hampshire to share, went to the box 2 weeks ago
to check a temperature and that thermometer no longer worked due to the battery being flat
Sods law it sits in a box forever and when I really need it......... nothing!
 
Whilst at the chemist I'd buy a bottle of Benylin. Vet recommended it some years ago for a basic cough, any flavour will do.
It's cheap, does the job, and can be useful for humans too.
If memory serves me right you add 2 dessert spoonfuls per meal.
However I too would call the vet today given the circumstances.
 
sunnyone said:
Whilst at the chemist I'd buy a bottle of Benylin. Vet recommended it some years ago for a basic cough, any flavour will do.
It's cheap, does the job, and can be useful for humans too.
If memory serves me right you add 2 dessert spoonfuls per meal.
However I too would call the vet today given the circumstances.
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I remember using Co-op Broncial Mixture many years ago before anyone had ever heard of dust allergies. I’d probably soak hay and leave out as much as possible and reassess in a few days. Of course I don’t know how bad OP’s horse is coughing. It may well need a vet sooner rather than later. If I wasn’t sure of the cause I’d speak to my vet, I’d think the price of a call out is worth not having to worry myself silly over it.
 
Mine presented exactly the same Christmas morning seemingly out of the blue. Cough syrup, soaked hay and a couple of weeks off and aside from one or two throat clears he's back to normal, not totally out of the woods, so keeping an eye but no more mucus.

I spoke to my vet immediately and she said likely something going round, monitor temperature and colour of mucus for any changes or if it hadn't cleared up by next Friday she'd come out.
 
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