Slight dry cough?

[hussar]

Having done a search of the forum I see a few people have been asking about dry coughs and I wondered if anyone had tried a good remedy. My 7yo today started a dry cough when trotting uphill. No nasal discharge. We walked home and he didn't cough again. He lives out 24/7, big bale hay which isn't dusty, is warmly rugged up, has no temperature and a good appetite. He's never coughed before.

I'll speak to the vet tomorrow morning. My worry is we're about to start a fairly major endurance season and obviously I don't want to work him if he might have a virus. Any advice/suggestions for me (apart from call the vet) much appreciated.

 

[KBRITT10]

Could he have a slight allergy to a local crop? Anything new sprung up in the surrounding area recently?

 

[Llwyncwn]

If there is no nasal discharge and he is quite happy in himself I would say that maybe there is some dust/pollen in the hay and to soak it and drain before you feed. Have you taken his temperature ? Have you checked the glands around and under his face ?

 

[hussar]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, temp normal, glands OK. I'm not keen except as a last resort to try soaking and draining a large round bale of hay for a horse that lives out - the hay is off the same field as the hay he's been eating all winter, and there are no new crops nearby as this is hill farming country that only grows sheep!

The vet will probably tell me it's a virus

 

[mandy4727]

I am in Lancashire and there is a cough doing the rounds. 4 on our yard. Vet said if just 1. Would treat as isolated and let it run its course. But they are on Ventaplumin and antibiogics. If not nasal discharge and the horse is their normal self then all okay. But if snotty nose the need the antibiotics. An airbourne bacterial infection.

 

[SusieJane]

I've just got my little mare back from the people next door ~ and she has a hacking dry cough ~ but I'm sure that's from their cruddy hay they were feeding her ~

She's now back on nice hay, that has been soaked, and had some veg oil drizzled over it (sounds a bit delia smith), but I think the cough is going to take a while to go.

Feeding off the floor helps too