Winter virus.

[sarah]

My daughter's pony, has for the last couple of years, gone down with a virus about this time of year.
He starts coughing, doesn't really have a nasal discharge, but is very lethargic and just not himself.
The first year it happened I had a chat with my vet, who said there was nothing they would do, and I should just rest him, keep him warm and he would recover in a couple of weeks, and that is what happened. She also suggested a dose of red cell for a few weeks to boost his immune system.

This year, I thought I would be proactive, and I put him on red cell for a month in September, to try and stop him getting it again, and although he is looking fantastic, with a beautiful shiny coat, bright eye, is very fit etc, he has still gone down with it again!

So, other than resting him and keeping him cosy, is there anything else I should do? Should he go back on the red cell?
Is there anything I could do in the future to try and help him not succumb to the illness?
Our other pony who is out with him never gets it.

Any suggestions or similar experiences would be gratefully received.

[em]

Hi sarah

If it were me this is what I would do... hope it helps.. firstly i would write down everything and anything i could think of that changes for your pony at this time of year.. dont leave anything out... so an example would be .... does he start having hard feed( is the feed old) , does he start having hay.. does he come inside ,, does the routine change ,, change of field.. reduction or increase of being out , products used etc

Once the list is compiled i would go through each thing and try think if there is any connection between the change and whether it could contribute to putting his immune system under pressure... may be a combination of things are contributing... it is also possible that this is not a virus but a reaction to something that he is given or is near at this time of year... some plants and trees shed leaves or berries at this time of year ...could he be gorging on things may be he shouldnt.....

My feeling is it is more likely immune system reaction rather than viral attack particulaly as it seems to be cyclical and the other pony doesnt ever seem to catch it.. however I am in no way qualified this is just gut feeling ...

Essential oils are very helpful in helping horses for all sorts of things.. if he is coughing you could try this

you could buy two essential oils... frankincense and ginger... and a basic carrier massage oil (small bottle)

Put a small amount of carrier oil into a separate container like a plastic pop bottle...add 6 drops of each essential oil ..
shake it up and let your pony sniff up the aroma 2-3 times ... do this twice a day

These essential oils are very good for coughs and soothing the bronchial passages ... I am not qualified but have used essential oils for years on my animals and kids... so if you are not comfortable with this then of course dont do it...

If the pony turns his head away it is not the oils he needs to recover so dont present the mixture to him again...

The oils can be anything between 3 and 5 pounds however so you dont waste money the health shop might agree to putting a couple of drops of each oil on a piece of cloth free of charge... then you could let your pony sniff it and see if he likes the oil before you purchase it

Hope this gives some ideas.... and he recovers soon..

em x x

[ange]

Hi Sarah -

there is one thing that we can't control at this time of year, and that's the reducing day length - we already know that this affects our horses (it's what triggers coat change, etc).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects humans as the nights draw in - I don't know but I wonder whether there is a similar condition in horses? Might be worth a bit of research - SAD is something that not many GPs are aware of, so if a similar condition does exist in horses thenyou could assume that Vets are in the same position.

Cheers, Ange.

[em]

Hi Ange

I reckon you have hit on something really significant there Ange but I will bet we would have a difficult time convincing the vets... though it might be worth sarah contacting Chris day he is on the web and is a homeopathic vet as well as fully qualified ordinary vet.. he would cetainly have a more open mind...

Em x

[sarah]

Thank you all for your brilliant replies - lots of food for thought.

[Briony Anakin]

My friend bought a highland earlier this year so this was her first winter with him. Around october time he suddenly became very lethargic and depressed, low energy and not himself. The vet came to see him and told us that some horses really struggle with energy while their thick winter coats are coming through?!?! I had never heard of this before but the vet suggested that we leave it a few weeks and if he is no better then to call her back again.

Sure enough, a few weeks later when his coat was properly through he was right as rain and has been since. Food for thought and an interesting thing to note!

[sarah]

I have never heard about the coat/lethargy connection - its fascinating.

I have heard Lucky do the odd cough this week, and I would say that he has not had the usual sparkle in his eye, but I know he is missing his normal cuddles and fun rides with Meg, and being in his stable more and on more hay when the grass has been buried under snow does not help.
I think I will give my vet a call next week, just to check that she doesn't think a visit is necessary.