Please help...strange cough

[Janesomerset]

Hello, I'm worried about my 7-year-old pony as he started coughing on Thursday, which is something he's never done! It seems worse just after he has eaten his breakfast or tea. It doesn't get worse with exercise, and he has no discharges, lethargy etc. What really worries me is that on New Years Day, he ate a button off my coat sleeve. It was a thin button and I heard him crunch it up. He swallowed it, coughed 3 or 4 times, but from then till Thursday (22nd) he was fine. Does anyone know, would eating a foreign body cause problems 3 weeks later? We are soaking his hay. (It is normally soaked anyway, as 1) he is laminitis-prone and 2) he choked in the middle of the night way back in Autumn, but cleared himself by the time the yard owner got over to him.) He is bedded on Bedmax. If he isn't improving in a couple of days, I shall get the vet out, but would be glad to hear from anyone who can advise either on coughs or eating buttons, or both! Thank you.

 

[siant2]

No experience in horses with this, but I know if humans cough after eating or drinking it can mean they are having trouble swallowing and therefore are at very risk of choking/aspirating.... I would be concerned about this as you mention he has choked before and the cough is not affected by exercise. I would be wary about giving him his hard feed if it is this thats making him cough and I would call the vet on Monday and ask their advise.

 

[Janesomerset]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I thought myself it seems to be swallowing which makes him cough more, rather than it being respiratory. I should have said, he coughs intermittently and just once or twice, as if he has a "tickle". I will consult the vet.

 

[Janesomerset]

Just been to catch pony for vet, and would you believe, said pony has, since 9am, developed a runny eye, slightly runny nose and a temperature of 38.9C. The vet thinks he has a virus (his next door neighbour at the yard also has a virus but no cough with it) and says to give him sloppy feeds, wet hay, and some Danilon in case he has any inflammation in his throat. I was rather surprised he didn't look at his throat. He said the button consumed on January 1st would have passed through unless we were very unlucky. He doesn't know this accident-prone pony...unlucky is his middle name! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my post. Any tips on coughing ponies welcome!