HELP Horse Coughing

WolfShepard

Hi Guys/Girlies

I need some advice. I recently bought an Irish sports horse.
Passport/chip etc checks out. Vet said he is absolutely fine. However he has a bit of a cough. More sounding like a sneeze. Sometimes yellow discharge comes from his nose. This is only occasional and not frequent. The vet said it is an upper respiratory viral infection and didnt prescribe meds. Rest for 2 weeks with just short/walk only hacks. Its now the 3rd week. Cough is still there the odd time and sometimes streams of yellow from his nose. He is eating and drinking fine, has a great shiny healthy coat and is a real caracter with a great personality in brilliant form. Any idea if the vet is right or could it be something else ?? Should I get second opinion ???

Angelmangle

This time of year can bring out a lot of allergies, which can manifest in a runny nose, sore runny eyes and coughing. I would try and make sure that he spends as much time out of the stable as possible - out in the fresh air. Also check his hay/haylage, is it dusty? You might need to change it and/or soak it.

We have one horse who is VERY sensitive to dusty haylage and while the same haylage would have no effect on the other horses, he gets very coughy so we have to be very particular and make sure he gets high quality forage at all times.

convert

The cough could be caused by any matter of things, from a simple allergy to something far more serious, so it would probably be best to get a vet out to check the horse and see if it needs a course of antibiotics. If you're not happy with the first vet, then don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Afterall, it's better better to be safe than sorry.

Ave Sodalis

I would agree with both Convert and Angel. If you aren't happy with the opinion of the first vet, get another. In saying that, the last horse with bad coughing and discharge, it was because his lungs couldn't cope with the dry and dusty nature of hay and it took many vets to figure it out. I would suggest a change in diet if fed hay and the vet as it may not be the problem

WolfShepard

Thanks for the info. I looked up the internet about coughs and discharges. I just got confused as to which one described his best. So really it didnt help me. If it is viral ? How long can it last?? He is out in the field all day and in his stable at night as I am afraid he might be stolen from the field as it is on a busy road. So he only gets hay at nightime. I will soak his hay and see if that helps. I really hope its nothing more serious as I have really fallen for this horse.

WolfShepard

Oh yes and his eyes are fine. No discharge. I did however see some foam coming from his mouth when he coughed this morning. Just one big cough and a little small amount of slimey foam. White in colour. Discharge from nose is yellow and sometimes clear. Thats when he has it but it only comes after coughing. He might only cough 5 times in two hours.

convert

OP, unfortunately we can't make a diagnosis or give veterinary advice here. Your vet is the only one who can do that. If you are in any way worried about your horse, please contact your vet, or change your vet if you're not happy with the initial opinion.

WolfShepard

Yep I know convert. Was just wondering if anyone had similar problem with their horse. The discharge has stopped but still some coughing but it has definately decreased. Thanks for all the help fellow boarders

Eshaness

My horse is very sensitive to dust etc, can't eat hay, is kept out all day and on rubber matting at night rather than deep bed of straw/shavings; which I find helps a lot. (She's COPD). Also when she got started coughing she would find it hard to stop- once the throat was irritated it would keep going, even if reason for trigger was gone. Did the vet route a couple of times when it was bad, and they generally give a steriod injection, which works, but which is harsh on her system. When it was just a mild attack I give her a herbal supplement- specialist ones for ensuring clear breathing- and they helped calm the irritation.
Might work for you, might not. Hope it helps.

WolfShepard

Can you ride your horse properly or does it limit exersize ??? I,m thinking my fella has COPD now 2.

convert

OP, making self diagnosis of your horse's symptoms is very serious and potentially very dangerous. You are obviously concerned about your horse, so you really, really need to get a qualified veterinary diganosis of your horse. If you aren't happy with the first diagnosis, then get another vet to look at your horse.

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