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Post by J and I on Oct 25, 2008 22:12:15 GMT -5
My new boy has a virus. It seems to be going through my barn  Poor guy. He has had a mild cough for 2 weeks, but now he it is getting worse and his nose and eye is starting to run. Is there anything I can give him so that he will get over this quicker? (he gets a multi-vitamin and a joint supplement already) Should I be blanketing him to try keep him from getting chilled? He is turned out 10 hrs a day (alone) with a shelter, in the barn at night. Our barn has HORRIBLE circulation and it is even worse now b.c they have been closing the doors at night now. Any suggestions would be awesome!! |
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Post by Pam on Oct 26, 2008 5:04:52 GMT -5
If he has been coughing for two weeks and is getting worse, it's time to call the vet.
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Oct 26, 2008 8:03:58 GMT -5
Ditto on the vet call.
I would also request that he be outside 24/7 until he's well (blanketed, of course). That stale air is not going to help him heal. The ammonia build-up in a closed barn could easily trigger pneumonia in an already-sick horse, due to its irritating/inflammatory effect on the airways.
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Post by J and I on Oct 26, 2008 9:13:01 GMT -5
*Sigh* I was hoping to avoid the vet this time around. I guess i shouldn't though. His cough that he had at first was not bad, he would let out one or two when I was jogging and that was it. I didn't hear him cough at all today but I'm really only around him for about an hour.
I could leave him out 24/7 but he would be the only one out there, and I'm not sure how much he would like that. I will start leaving him out longer. Do you think that its better with the barn doors open, and risk a breeze or closed and have no ventilation?
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Post by ZenRider on Oct 26, 2008 12:47:41 GMT -5
If he stops eating, developes a high fever, and starts oozing really icky stuff out of his nose and eyes, well, I don't think I'd have to tell you to call the vet if he was doing that.  I would talk to a vet before kicking him out 24/7 up there in Ontario. Not sure how cold it is up by you yet, but if you even crack the doors open during the day, that should help the ventilation and some turnout is always a plus. If your barn isn't heated, your barn likely isn't so air tight to have major issues there. Even so, I'd open the doors at least somewhat during the day. Some of these things can take a few weeks to clear their system (just like with us) and if he wasn't coughing today, is eating and otherwise alert, and doesn't have a temperature above normal, or much above normal, that could be a sign of improvement. I'd keep a close eye on him and if you still have concerns you can call your vet for advice, as he/she would likely know of any bugs running through the area and if a visit would be required. Good luck. |
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Post by TeachU2Ride on Oct 26, 2008 15:15:48 GMT -5
Even a barn kept scrupulously clean needs adequate ventilation. If you can smell ammonia in the air, it has already reached a level which is damaging to your horse's respiratory system.
As long as the wind is not blasting directly onto the horses, open barn doors and windows are a good thing year round. But if I had to make a choice between a drafty barn and one that was closed up tight, I'd pick the draft and use blankets.
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Poor guy. He has had a mild cough for 2 weeks, but now he it is getting worse and his nose and eye is starting to run. 
I would talk to a vet before kicking him out 24/7 up there in Ontario. Not sure how cold it is up by you yet, but if you even crack the doors open during the day, that should help the ventilation and some turnout is always a plus. If your barn isn't heated, your barn likely isn't so air tight to have major issues there. Even so, I'd open the doors at least somewhat during the day.