My horse is coughing.

[miss_thenorth]

I have the vet coming out next week for their yearly, but in the meantime, he is coughing. when I called to make the apointment, i talked to the receptionist, as the vet wasn't there. He was coughing a bit, but now it is quite bad. He coughed last spring too, but not as bad as this spring. Both horses were wormed on the first day fo spring, but maybe he needs worming again? or could it be allergies? last yera it only lasted for about a month and wasn't bad. This year he has been coughing for about two weeks, but its getting bad. Is there anythng I can get for him until the vet gets here, or should I call on Monday and ask. AS I sit here now, I can hear him, it sounds like my dad's smokers cough.

also, coincidentally or not, he started coughing about when the farmer sprayed his field next to our paddock. Any suggestions? I can pick up some stuff tomorrow on my way home from church tomorrow.

 

[MsPony]

Most likely an allergy or irritation. I swear by Silver Lining Herbs, they have an allergy and a UR formula as well. I'd shoot them an email or call and ask for Ken They seem expensive, but I found in the long run its cheaper then drugs and vet bills.

(I'm on my BB, or I'd give you links and numbers)

 

[valmom]

Does sound like spring allergies- they are really bad here this year. How is the hay? Dusty from left over stored from last year? Maybe soak his hay to cut down on that.

I knew someone whose horse had such bad allergies to everything that he lived with a nylon stocking over his nose to try to filter out some of the dust and pollen- she tied it on to his halter or his bridle. He couldn't compete because without his stocking he couldn't breathe.

 

[patandchickens]

Horses don't usually cough from worms (not from a normal worm infestation anyhow). Have you taken his temperature a few times and it's normal, and is his pulse rate normal? (Just to rule out infectious causes). He hasn't choked on his feed, that you know of, recently, has he?

Most likely though it is allergies and/or heaves. Which there is not really much you can do about, home remedy wise, except avoid dust and mold spores. If you bed on straw make sure it is not in the slightest bit moldy; make sure your hay isn't at all dusty and regardless of whether it is you might want to soak it for half an hour before feeding it (although this does lower nutrition very slightly, it is better than exacerbating a cough). If you are feeding any concentrates, make sure THEY are not dusty (pelleted feed, or grains without molasses, are not infrequently dusty).

I have seen a lot of people shovel a lot of herbal and homeopathic remedies into heavey type horses without it doing any good to anyone other than the vendors of said products; but, that said, it may be that *some* horses do respond somewhat usefully to *some* products, so I would not entirely rule it out as something to try. I just wouldn't hold my breath, so to speak.

If it *is* allergies and/or heaves, the best solutions I know of are, like it or not, pharmaceutical.

At least up here (though I am a coupla hrs north of you) it is actually a pretty good year for allergies/heaves so far, as my oldest TB usually gets pretty drippy-nosed and drippy-eyed and coughy this time of year but this year he is *fine*. Perhaps our spring is just not as advanced yet as yourse, though.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[ducks4you]

ALWAYS listen to Pat on ALL horse questions!! Also, how clean are his living quarters? I know that horse-keeping can really wear you out, BUT, if the stall or shelter is dirty and wet, mold can grow there, dust can accumulate, and a sensitive horse will suffer. Hope this helps--'cause it's an easy fix.

 

[miss_thenorth]

thanks guys. Living conditions are great--they have a run-in type shelter that is cleaned out regular. they have not been spenidn a great deal of time in there now that the weather is nice. I have not taken his temp and pulse, but will. The cough has been better today, but stil it's there. I will also start soaking their hay. It is not mouldy, but I think it wouldn't hurt to keep the dust down. He has no nasal discharge. Also The vet will be coming out this week. I just wasn't sure if there was anything I could give him that would help.

 

[lupinfarm]

If it is heaves there are a myriad of easy things you can change to accomodate him and make him feel better. Number one is definitely hay and pasture situation. Horses with heaves do best on pasture 24/7-365 and on either soaked hay or a haylage type of product (we fed bagged haylage type hay to my heavey horse because soaking wasn't an option). Soaking his grain may also help.

There are quite a number of herbal Heaves "remedies" not all work so you really need to sift through them, I've heard (I think its called) Breathe Easy works well, for especially bad coughing fits we used Zev with Pal.

 

[freemotion]

Soaking the hay is great. Put it in a tub and let it sit for a while, more than a quick sprinkling. Then remove any and all uneaten hay before putting the next meal down. Soaked hay will mold VERY quickly.

You can also get the Lucerne Farms bagged hay, chopped and with molasses added. It used to be called Dengie, but the name has changed and I haven't fed it in years so I don't know the new name.

Also, if you have bedding under water buckets in the shed, be sure to move that each day so it can dry thoroughly. I've found that it looks clean, but can harbor unseen mold.

Heavy horses will have a "double" exhale, and you will see it if you watch the belly from the side as they breathe....you will see the extra effort to expel the air.