How to help get rid of virus (horse!!!) (also in NL)

R

Rocky01

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 October 2007
Messages
502
Visit site
Hi,

Both my horses were blood tested this week as they weren't going forwards and we had ruled out everything else. The bloods came back that they've had a virus for at least a month and judging by symptoms they've had it for longer than that.
Now, they've been being worked reasonably hard through all this time as we had a lot of muscle to build up to rule out that and it wasn't clear they were ill (no cough, temp etc.). Since the bloods came back we've cut the work down now to very easy light work every other day and started them both on echinacea but they're not really picking up at all and the youngster (4) has zero energy. I'm not sure really if we should stop work (which they seem to really enjoy), cut down turnout as the weather is miserable or what????

Any ideas on what I should be doing to help them get over this virus?

Please don't think I was stupid not getting the vet out earlier. We've had several professional people treat them for bad backs etc during this time and all have said that they look in brilliant condition. Even the vet said they looked in brilliant condition and health, we really couldn't tell.

Thanks :)
 
Same thing happened to one of my endurance horses, no signs at all.

I spoke to a chap called Roger Hatch from "Trinity Consultants" and he advised me to give her some L94 and A24 (Black Gold) and he sent it to me. Go to A-Z index of Equine Problems.

His number is 01243551766 website http://www.justbespoke.com/

Well worth talking to him he is a mind of information.

Paulineh
 
You won't go far wrong if you think what would YOU need if you were slowly recovering from a very nasty and lingering virus. You'd want brilliant nursing from someone who understood you, TLC, wrapping in cotton wool, kept warm but not too warm, favourite foods little and often, sick note for work/college, and maybe a little pick-me-up to help your body heal itself. And above all else you'd need TIME. Time just to get your strength back and to start looking forward to being "normal" again. I'd do all those things for your horses with the pick me up just something reasonably simple - you don't need fancy expensive stuff. A bottle of Guiness added to their feed per day is probably all you need so long as your vet has confirmed there are no other health problems. Do take care though because there is some suspicion that the human Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is caused by trying to do too much while your body is trying to shake off a virus.
 
Thanks everyone who has responded, after the advice on the forum and talking to my trainer and a vet we've decided to do several things, how do they sound?

Thicker bed for warmth, lightweight turnouts/ 70g turnout for turnout until mid afternoon then in with a cotton sheet or breathable fleece depending on the weather. We're keeping feed levels higher so they have no sudden changes to their system and to get as many nutrients in as possible ( it won't hurt before winter either), echinacea every day (on vets instructions) and a general good for you supplement (they were on it before we knew they.were ill). We've also cut out work for the forseeable future as they need to rest for now. I'm going to talk to the vet on Monday about any other pick you things we could try that have been mentioned on here and see what she says. Plus I'm generally going to pamper them silly grooming and attention wise to say sorry for not picking it up sooner :(

How does all this sound????
Thanks again. :)
 
i would give them plenty of fresh air, dr green, and feed them and add redcell or proplus/liquid blood, and give them a week to 10 days off completely. i wouldnt over rug them. what were the blood results? low rbc and raised wbc? what were the liver results? if liver enzymes raised i would do a detox with restart (or is it resorb?) but rest and fresh air will let mother nature do the job. they wont loose any significant amount of fitness or muscle if they are turned out.
 
Sounds spot on Rocky01. If I was one of your horses, I'd be happy with that. They're lucky lads to have an owner who takes the time to find what's best for them. Good luck and hope you're thundering round the countryside again soon xxx
 
must say they love a bit of tlc my boys been coming in at night <i know> he wintered out last year as well .Haynet thick bed of straw , night feed with antibiotics yum !Open the field gate and he will walk himself to his stable right past new horses what a wuss
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top