Treatment for a virus (horse!!!)

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Rocky01

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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 :)
 
I would cut out the work completely, let them have turnout (but make sure they don't get too wet/cold or hot) and maybe give them some probiotics in feed like Protexin or a vit/min supp.
 
Thanks peteralfred for your answer.

It's hard to tell what to do because they really relax when they're out of their stable doing something and don't relax as much in the field (not sure why but they're always slightly on edge in the field). When I say work, the youngster has pretty much stopped work anyway as he literally goes out of the stable, quickly trots around on the lunge in a headcoller for about 3 minutes (literally) then comes back in as he gets tired only doing that after 3 days off work. The older horse (9) does more work but he loves it and visibly relaxes as he's tacked up, again he is going to be lunged on a headcoller for a few minutes (possibly a bit longer than the youngster but no more than 10 mins) and then put back in as we don't want to knacker them.

Just feeling at a bit of a loose end as I want them to get better but don't really know how to help. :(
 
My big chap had a long running recurrent virus. At the time their vet was head horse vet at RVC. His advice was pink powder in feed (ongoing), Visorbin (iron and vits supplement) for a couple of months. Worked a treat and the visorbin is green sweet gloop which horsie loved the taste of :-)

So these would be worth trying for sure, and def couldnt harm, and neither requires a prescription.
 
Thanks lachlanandmarcus for your advice. The bloods came back really good for all the nutrients and iron but certainly will mention the stuff to the vet on Monday.

I'm also trying to work out what to do rug wise, any thoughts???

Thanks again.
 
Def still worth mentioning/discussing the vit/min/iron supp as mine didnt show deficient either but he still thought advisable (and I was getting it via internet so he didnt have vested interest :-)) My chaps bloods showed a very low white cell count.

He had it recurring for about a year and a half, with the intermissions getting longer and longer and the bouts getting shorter and shorter. It started when he had flu/tet jab and worming within about 2 days of each other. Suspect it was the jab but have never wormed close to the jab again (use worm counts anyway now plus blood test for tapeworm) and he only has the tet jab now, just in case - he doesnt compete or mix, they live at home and the other one has both the flu and tet jab.

Work wise if they are happy carry on, but keep it very gentle as you are. I would turnout as much as poss, and rug well but not too well, ie not multiple thick layers. I always try to think if it were me and I was poorly what would I want; a warm jacket, gentle walks and a nice comfy bed :-)))

Good luck with yours, its very frustrating and depressing when they are lacking in life and sparkle, they and you feel so miserable.

The only thing to cheer you is although it does sometimes take quite a long time, and puts plans on hold, you do get through it. When my chap was still poor looking but nearly well in himself, I took him hunting which is what he did as a youngster before I got him. That didnt half speed his recovery, it exhausted him but the sparkle came back that day and didnt go out again!! (Carted me down a spiral drive of a stately home he did, bless him :-O)

Good luck....
 
We had a horse at work who had a virus, he was given the all clear by the vet but still lacked energy, we bought a bottle of pro-plus and seems to boost him and has been fine ever since. Red cell is a similar product as well but have not used this myself.
 
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. :)
 
sounds good! And it will all come good, promise!

heres the bag of bones virus chap (hes 17 too in this pic), nothing wrong with him!
WBphotos15to16Sept09052.jpg
 
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