horse with a cough

[horse812261]

Hi my horse has had a cough on and off for a couple of weeks which gradually has got worse. He is turned out during the day and in at night on shavings with hay and hard feed twice a day. There is no discharge from his nose and hes not bringing anything up. It started as a tickly sounding cough a few times a day both in stable and in field but now sounds more chesty and he has started coughing whilst ridden. Do I call a vet? Or try something first? Thanks in advance

 

[landyandy]

is your hay dusty, and is your stable airy or closed in.

 

[horse812261]

No the hay seems ok and its an airy stable, not internal.

 

[AmyMay]

Vet.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Any other clinical signs?
Is his temperature normal for him? (Have you checked this twice a day to make sure its normal? )
I would be getting vet to be honest

 

[landyandy]

Vet.

this

 

[bonny]

I wouldn't be getting a vet for a horse with a cough and no other symptoms, why not try turning the horse out 24/7 and see if that helps ?

 

[horse812261]

Thank you for all your quick responses. He seems fine in himself no other problems it just doesn't seem to be clearing up. Unfortunately leaving him out isn't an option. I will call them out soon if it doesn't improve but don't want to be calling them over nothing!

 

[twiggy2]

vet tomorrow

 

[horse812261]

Could it be serious? I'm worried about him now. Have I left it too long?

 

[AmyMay]

I wouldn't be getting a vet for a horse with a cough and no other symptoms, why not try turning the horse out 24/7 and see if that helps ?

Whilst I agree in principle, the cough has now developed into a chesty one which could be indicative of an infection in the lungs - and the horse is coughing whilst being ridden. What may have been a slight allergy to hay and environment seems to have progressed to something more.

Absolutely turn out 24/7 but I would also want the horse double checked by the vet for signs of infection.

 

[twiggy2]

yes it could be serious but usually easily treatable

 

[AmyMay]

I will call them out soon if it doesn't improve but don't want to be calling them over nothing!

It may be nothing. However it may be something, and as it's worsening (not improving) I would call the vet.

 

[horse812261]

Thank you for all your advice. I will call the vet to be on the safe side. I don't want it getting worse. Its not continuous but just as I think I haven't heard it in a while it tends to come back.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

So, have you taken his temp then?

 

[Dubsie]

We have this with one of our two, I forgot I was told when we got him that when it's dry weather (which it has been here for a couple of weeks) and the hay is dry he can suffer from a cough so he needs the hay soaking and to use dust free /minimal bedding - we don't bother soaking over winter/in wet weather which of course we'd had for weeks, and he lives out with us so no bedding issues.....called the vet and he gave ventipulmin to add to his feed, this eased the cough in a matter of a couple of days.