Winter cough

[Horsegirl25]

Looking for some advice.
My gelding has developed quite a dry cough over the last few days, I have switched him from hay onto hayledge, it’s made a bit of a difference but the cough is still there.
He is coughing even standing in the stable, coughing while riding although this does ease the more he gets going.
I have been giving him the naff herbal cough syrup in his feeds too but it’s still there.
I’m in 2 minds on wether to keep going and see if it clears as he’s only been on the hayledge for around 4 days or arrange for the vet to come out at some point?

Edit:

I should add his temperature is normal and he’s well within himself (being a typical Welsh D) I am just concerned about the constant cough
Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Looking for some advice.
My gelding has developed quite a dry cough over the last few days, I have switched him from hay onto hayledge, it’s made a bit of a difference but the cough is still there.
He is coughing even standing in the stable, coughing while riding although this does ease the more he gets going.
I have been giving him the naff herbal cough syrup in his feeds too but it’s still there.
I’m in 2 minds on wether to keep going and see if it clears as he’s only been on the hayledge for around 4 days or arrange for the vet to come out at some point?

Edit:

I should add his temperature is normal and he’s well within himself (being a typical Welsh D) I am just concerned about the constant cough
Does anyone have any advice?

I’d ring the vet, there is a bit of strangles about and can’t be too careful. It may not be hay related, best check

 

[asmp]

I’ve said this many times on this forum about my horse coughing which I believe was caused by using mats in his stable. The urine collected underneath them and they were too heavy to move and clean under regularly.

 

[Horsegirl25]

Vet is coming out tomorrow morning, just phoned them

I’d ring the vet, there is a bit of strangles about and can’t be too careful. It may not be hay related, best check

 

[Bobthecob15]

Vet is coming out tomorrow morning, just phoned them

Well done, best to be sure. Hopefully something that can be sorted!

 

[Horsegirl25]

Well done, best to be sure. Hopefully something that can be sorted!

Fingers crossed maybe just needing an antibiotic and nothing serious

 

[Love]

I could have written this 18 months ago. By chance I had the vet out for his jabs a few days later and mentioned it then and they diagnosed him with asthma - he did also have a very slight heave line at this point which disappeared again pretty quickly and hasn't returned. I am convinced his is caused by dust and/or some environmental fungal spores (side note: as part of my job I deliver the national pollen forecast and when certain fungal spores in our region are high after damp weather, he gets worse. There are quite a few horse son our yard the same). Vets gave me an initial course of ventipulmin and then I have been able to manage it from there. I had him on NAF respirator boost daily for a while and it was amazing - once this had settled the main flare up I was able to take him off it and now only keep it for when little flare ups occur. I only feed wet hay (soaking is better for dust but just damp is enough for him) use dust extracted shavings and he is out every day (in at night).

 

[Horsegirl25]

Thanks for your replies everyone.
Vet was out this morning and thinks he has asthma, he’s got 2 inhalers to take including a steroid one which he is to be on for 10 days.
I’ve put him on soaked hay as she feels that would benefit more as the hayledge wasn’t helping at all.
Fingers crossed it clears up with just the inhalers and wet hay

 

[teacups]

Mine gets a cough if on dry hay - once I dampened all his nets it stopped.
I mix straw and hay for the nets and if I don’t wear a mask, I get a cough too!

 

[Ratface]

Old Horse has been coughing sporadically and having an occasional yellow discharge. Vet attended and he has been diagnosed with COPD. He is now on daily Danilon. This seems to have had the required result. No more coughing. Flying round his field like a loon continues!

 

[Marigold4]

My horse has asthma and it flared up again after he caught a virus this autumn. The others got over the virus quickly but he has been left with a cough for 8 weeks. 2 x antibiotics and steroids later he was still coughing. Bought a Haygain steamer and he has stopped in 4 days. It could be that the cough took longer to go after the ABs and steroids, but it could also be that the steamer has sorted it. Very expensive though!