Update on how to get rid of virus post (more advice needed) !!! (also in NL)

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Rocky01

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Hi,

Thank you everyone who replied last time I posted.

The horses have now had two weeks off and have just been retested. The good news is that one of them seems to be recovering (the white blood cell ratio is normalising from being close to reversing) and everything else seems to be pretty normal. :)

However, the younger horse (4 yrs old) seems to be getting worse. :(
His ratio was reversing on the previous results but has completely reversed now (lymphocytes are 56.1%, SEGS (neutrophils sp?) are 39.6% and monocytes are 4.3%).

They've been on Echinacea for 2 weeks and we're going to try Levamisol to help stimulate the immune system alongside the echinacea and retest in 2 weeks but otherwise I'm at a complete loss. They're not in any work now and are going out till 3pm, then come in. They're also on as much food as they were when in full work but neither has put on any weight???

Any ideas would be great.

Thanks
 
When one of our TBs got a bad virus the vets gave us a very strong green powder (it dyed your hands green). Sorry I'm useless because I don't know the name but we were told racing yards quite often use it to fight a virus. Worth a chat with your vets to see if there are any prescription supplements that might assist.
 
As you'll know hun, the problem with a nasty virus is that - apart from interferon and mega expensive anti-viral agents like that - the only thing that can get rid of a virus is the horse's own body's defences, eg white blood cells etc. All you can really do is imagine that YOU have a nasty virus that you can't shake off and treat your horse more or less the same. You'd probably want tenderness, tlc, warmth but not too stuffy, your favourite foods little and often, tempting with treats sometimes, extra cuddles or if you were feeling crabby, to be left alone. You'd want no drafts, a snug warm bed, tv and remote (boredom busters). Your GP may have prescribed a tonic or he may just say drink lots, take something to bring down a fever if you have one, be kind to yourself. And he'd give you a sick note for work. If you try to provide the equivalent horsey nursing, you won't go far wrong. As long as your 2nd youngster is eating a diet complete in everything his body needs, you won't need expensive supplements. Experiment and keep it little and often.
Good luck x.
 
I've heard good things about Roger too - know lots of people who rate him and his tonics very highly!

Sorry I didn't see your original post - what are they fed? Brewers Yeast is very good for the immune system! Bit like us taking Multibionta Immune :D
 
Have you tried Visorbin? Good for run-down horses and helps boost immune system

http://www.nutrecare.co.uk/Product-1268/Horse-Performance-Supplements/Visorbin

When one of mine caught a virus I fed echinacea and propell plus as horse was very lethargic although I cut feed right down as didnt want to risk tying up (box rest for 3 weeks due to filled legs).

If he is worse, cant the vet give him a different AB? Other one might not have worked for him?
 
I was going to say: Interferon A- as someone has mentioned above- it is fairly expensive but it helps stimulate the immune system if they can't get rid of something- we used it sucessfully on one of my horses when they had an infection they were struggling with.

And p.s sorry meant to add- hope they get better soon.
 
Hi, thanks everyone who has replied.

In answer to Pasha's post, the older horse (9) is fed 3kg Winergy Senior / 2kg Winergy Growth (we are running out of senior so moving him onto the growth for a while) which provides all that he needs and the younger horse (4) is on 4kg Winergy Growth which is the maximum he can be fed.

The bloods showed it was a virus so neither of them have had any antibiotics as there has been no need.

I will look up Roger Hatch, thank you, PaulineH.

The older one seems to be getting over this thing faster than my youngster but I suppose every horse is different. We're going to try an immune stimulant (Lavamisol) for a few days next and then retest and if that doesn't work then we'll try interferon and if that doesn't work then HELP!

Thank you so much BoxofFrogs and everyone for your support, it means a lot. It is very frustrating to be just waiting and watching but at least I know that it isn't life threatening and they will get over it eventually.

Thanks again.

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