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  Discussion on Updated Chronic Cough Article
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 12:41 pm:

We have updated and greatly expanded this article with new information and this article helps differentiate the causes then provides links to more detailed articles on the specific diseases.
DrO
Member:
Horse4u

Posted on Thursday, Feb 9, 2006 - 1:29 pm:

My horse has had an occasional cough the last couple of weeks. I read the articles and it seems like it might be related to hay mold. I board my horse outside and often her hay is put in the corner of a large run in shed, especially at night. I am wondering if this could be a problem since the airflow would be less. Some of the hay has been dusty lately, but it smells OK. She appears happy and healthy, just an occasional cough which usually disappears when we are riding. Do you think I should ask that hay not be put in the run in and see if that makes a difference? Should I call the vet at this point in time?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 10, 2006 - 6:55 am:

If it is mold spores it seems unlikely that it would smell Ok, like a freshly mown field, but yes you could try having it put in the open, to see if it improves. Better would be to find a nondusty hay.

The article makes suggestions on what to look for and how long to wait when deciding whether to call the vet.
DrO
New Member:
Simpy

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 - 9:06 pm:

I have two minis that have had a chronic cough for months with no fever or change in behavior. My vet checked them and said it must be allergies to mold. I have my minis outdoors and have checked their hay for mold regularly,and have also taken to washing it for dust. They have been on an expectorant that I put in their water this whole time. They seem very healthy otherwise and my large horses are not showing any problems. Since they are fine, and I am just annoyed that they cough, I really don't want to pay lots of money for work-ups. They are 7 and 8 years old and I have had them their entire lives without this problem. Quite a puzzle. I have had several different loads of hay because I buy 2 tons at a time. I hope summer will be an improvement, but then there will be dust. Any thoughts I would appreciate it.
Tricia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006 - 10:52 pm:

Hello Tricia,
We have a whole lots of ideas in the article associated with this discussion. It helps with differentiating causes of such coughs and providing links to articles on the specific disease. If your hay is dusty the cough could be the harbinger of severe disease and you need to see, Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Heaves & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
DrO
New Member:
Lesiluvu

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 11:43 am:

I have an overweight twenty one year old Arab/Quarter horse with diagnosis of COPD. He has a history of founder. Presently been on ventipulmin for a year at 5cc sometimes increase to 10cc twice daily. We have also tried trihist granules without any relief. He cannot have grass so has his stall, paddock and 80'x80'area (dirt)with 24hour access. Would like to know if there is anything else besides ventipulmin, it is becoming quite a financial burden and what effects this long term use of ventipulmin will cause. Is there a good compete supplement that can be use instead of the low starch triple crown feed that he is on?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 10:47 am:

Welcome Sandra,
We answer all your questions and more in the article Equine Diseases » Respiratory System »
Heaves & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. I personally don't use Ventipulmin because the results don't justify the cost, see the article for how we successfully handle this common disease.
DrO
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