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  Discussion on Coughing
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Posted on Tuesday, Dec 12, 2000 - 5:39 pm:

Dr O, I have a 5 yr old TB gelding that has a chronic dry cough. He was retired from racing due to a breathing problem. He had a wind operation to try and correct this, I don't know all the details, but obviously it was unsucessful and he was subsequently given to me as a hack.I am concerned not only about the cough but the fact that when he drinks water it flows back through his nostrils. I had my vet examine him and he stated that this oftens happens after this type of operation as some of the palate is removed? As for the cough he said it was probably irritation from dust and not much could be done about it.I dampen his feed, use only top quality hay and try to keep his environment as dust free as possible. He is kept in a small grassed paddock with a shelter shed. He only seems to cough badly when exercised, particularly at the trot and canter although I only work him lightly, and seems to improve after he warms up with 5 or 10 mins work. He has no discharge or temperature and is very bright. I have tried several cough medicines with no success. Can you help?

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 13, 2000 - 12:25 pm:

Hello Karen,
What you need is a diagnosis of why he coughs. Your vet is right, following a tie back operation a chronic cough is common. There would be little you could do about this short of removing the tie suture. Start by reviewing the causes of chronic cough in the article Equine Diseases: Respiratory System: Chronic Cough Without Fever. Then sit down with your vet to construct a logical diagnositic plan that fits your goals. A good endoscopic exam to evaluate the tie back should be in this plan.

You might also want to review the article in the same section on laryngeal hemiplegia, where the operation is explained. Good Luck.
DrO
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