Lingering cough help???

[Chebobbin]

Hi,
A few weeks ago I noticed a bit of mucus in my horses' water buckets and outside his door.
I now soak his hay throughly and also give him cough medicine/ moist foods like carrots and a bit of garlic.

It seems to have really really helped in the fact that there is no longer any mucus whatsoever, but, ive noticed SOMETIMES if i ride him faster than a walk he will cough afterwards as if he has been strained in some way?(( This doesnt happen all of the time i must stress))

It ISNT a violent sounding cough and it doesnt go on and on, infact it is very quick, but im still worried that it happens and hasnt gone yet!!

Im not daft I know that alot of horses get sniffles and coughs. But its just bothering me that it is still lingering!

People at my yard say that I SHOULDNT get a vet out.

???

 

[Tia]

This is always a tricky one as everyone has their own preferences on what to do.

Personally, if a cough does not go after I have changed all the things which could have a bearing on it (as you have) then I will always call the vet out.

I had a horse with RAO so this is why I don't dilly-dally around with this, and for the cost of a vet bill it is worth it to me.

 

[vicijp]

If it has been a few weeks it really does need sorting out. An ongoing cough can damage the windpipes permanantly.
The general thought is that if they cough on the way out, not to be too worried. If they cough after work, then it is something more sinister.
A scope will cost you £50 ish for a definate answer, or could just be a case of trying a course of antibiotics. A 5 day course of Trimediazine will cost under £20.

 

[Fairynuff]

You do what you think best for your horse and ignore the people on your yard. I dont mind a cough and a nose clear when they come out of the stable and into the school but I wouldnt be happy if it happened after work. He may well have a low grade infection which needs to be sorted out. Mairi.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

This problem has been going on for a few weeks as you say. You've dampend your hay etc & it persists. You haven't been able to sort out the problem yourself so I would definately call a vet out, infact i wouldn't have waited this long. He'll give you a course of antibiotics & that will probably sort it out. The longer you leave it the more serious a problem it may develop in to.

Don't be swayed what other people on your yard say, you do what you consider right for your horse.