Cough. One sound that is sure to make a horse owner snap to attention is a coughing horse. Does he have a simple cold that will clear up in a few days, or is it something more serious? Here are some common respiratory issues, how to manage them, and more importantly, how to prevent them.

Viral Respiratory Disease

Viral respiratory infections including equine herpesvirus infection (rhinopneumonitis), equine influenza, and equine viral arteritis are common in horses. Symptoms include:

  • harsh, dry cough
  • fever of 38.5ยฐC-40ยฐC (37ยฐC-38ยฐC is normal)
  • runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • depression
  • muscle stiffness

Your veterinarian may run blood tests and/or nasal swabs to determine the strain, but since all three are contagious, the sick horse should always be immediately isolated from his stablemates until his symptoms have disappeared, especially if there are pregnant mares in the barn, as rhinopneumonitis virus can cause abortion.

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