Viral Horse :-(

[Sneedy]

Hi Guys! (I know this should be in vets, but more ppl in here at mo!!)

Has anyone got any pearls of wisdom re helping a horse with a virus??

My chaps had bloods done today (after having 2 fat legs and a fat eye ) and his white blood cell count is 2 (7 is normal), so he's got (another) 2 weeks of doing very little then going to re run the bloods.

The vet suggested something like Red Cell, so thought it would be worth seeing if anyone has used anything similar and had great results, before I go shopping tomorrow.

Beats me how he's managed to stay so sharp and exuberant with such a low WBC count ....on a lighter note, my trainer said he's a typical male....allergic to hard work

Just praying the blooming snow doesn't come back when he gets the all clear.....he's already looking like a HOYS horse thanks to the enforced snow rest

Thank you

 

[fiarmay]

echinacea is supposed to be good for boosting red and white blood cells i think other than that propell, red cell or similar.

 

[meardsall_millie]

Oh poor B - has he got Manflu?

I agree with the Red Cell/Propell and echinacea - also a good broad spectrum multi-vitamin supplement.

Hope he feels better soon.

 

[Sneedy]

Thanks for the advice!

m_m - you would never believe he has man flu, he's been so sharp lately and looks amazing (if a little podgy ). Didn't realise that Propell comes with echinacea, will definitely have a look for some today.

Thankfully I can keep him in light work (if he feels ok), so that should help keep his mind occupied.....although I'm not sure he understands about just walking out hacking so the 1st few outings could be quite bouncy !!!

 

[icestationzebra]

Thanks for the advice!

m_m - you would never believe he has man flu, he's been so sharp lately and looks amazing (if a little podgy ). Didn't realise that Propell comes with echinacea, will definitely have a look for some today.

Thankfully I can keep him in light work (if he feels ok), so that should help keep his mind occupied.....although I'm not sure he understands about just walking out hacking so the 1st few outings could be quite bouncy !!!

Sorry he has not been well, we've all had it this end, so perhaps he is more human than you think and has succumbed to our flu

Red Cell is excellent, but was also going to suggest this:
http://www.horsefirst.net/back-form-p-1260.html
Haven't used it myself, but am using another of theirs and have been v. impressed with it. Although if he is as bouncy as you say, this might tip him over the edge - or you for that matter

 

[Sneedy]

Eeeeek.....'the full vigour and strength supplement' scares me slightly!! Its far too muddy to get bucked off!!!!

Thanks though, its useful to have an alternative if the Propell fails (although I am slightly concerned the Propell will create a rather enthusiastic Beast!!!!)

 

[only_me]

If one of ours gets a virus, they all get a bottle of restore - cleans the stystem out, and then we either use back to form or collivet

b2f is very good, but can be a bit like rocket fuel our saddler won't sell it to anything under 13h
collivet is fantastic stuff, better than red cell IMO

 

[Wowzers]

Has the vet not left you with any drugs for him? Interferon, although there are less "hard hitting" drugs that the vets perscribe for a virus?

Immune is good as a maintanence suppliment, echinacea and it has lots of honey in it so it tastes nice, i can tell you that first hand! What's good enough for them is good enough for me!!

LEH do their own propell/ red cell suppliment, it's green and gloopy but it's really good!

 

[soulfull]

I always feed aloe vera juice from holland and barratt. I never used to believe in it until my horse had a virus and would not eat the stuff the vet gave him.
So vet said go the old fashioned way with aloe vera. WOW the difference it made was amazing. After that everytime my lad went a bit 'off' I would feed it and was always pleased with the results

 

[Sneedy]

Vet didn't suggest anything at this stage, but recommended supplementing his diet with something to boost the immune system. I suppose if he looked poorly they would have given him something, but he looks a picture of health!!

Have had a chat with Global Herbs, who were very helpful. Think I'm going to try Immuplus and a bottle of Restore. Removes the worry of the Propell/Redcell tipping him over the edge!

 

[meardsall_millie]

Removes the worry of the Propell/Redcell tipping him over the edge!

Wimp

 

[Sneedy]

Absolutely......and not afraid to admit it!!! The little b'stard buggers off if he dumps me and I don't fancy searching for him in 1000acres of forest !!!!!!