posted 12-27-2002 10:31 PM           

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I am looking at a nice mare to buy. The day before I looked at her she developed a cough. The owner said she has never done that before, and I believe her. She did not seem sick, her eyes were well, she eats good and acted OK. The woman gave her a bottle of pennecilin through the week, and the cough got better some. The Vet said(over the phone) to use ?Genecin now, in case it is a resperitory problem. The horse has had its regular vacc's (flu, etc) and is well taken care of with 2 other horses that are not coughing. I have not called since the Gen has been started. What could cause a cough, sickness or not, and should I reconsider buying this horse? She is good in all other ways.

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posted 12-31-2002 04:57 AM           

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Hi Sue,
I raised horses for about 10 yrs, retired from it in 94. During that period of time I never encountered a cough I was probably very lucky. My suggestion would be is this for one its either bacterial or infectious. Most is treated with antib. but to be on the safe side before you purchase her I would have a vet go and check her, it prob be worth the money before you invest and get attached if say there is something more serious with her then what you can visibly see.
Doc~

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From: NC -USA
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posted 01-23-2003 01:10 PM         

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Agree with Doc 110%....a horse vet check is in order, however, sometimes sellers can and do drug their horses for a sale to occur and once the med wears off, boom, reality sets in. Do not buy a sick horse, and it just may be heaves/broken wind, which doesn't go away. If this horse is coughing without exercise, steer clear, with exercise, steer clear. they sometimes cough as we do, but coughing repeatedly is a reason to seek another horse. Repetitive coughing has an underlying reason in a horse esp. There are so many out there, trust me, you'll find yours. Granted the owner is probably being truthful, but it still is a horse that got a "cold". And like Doc, after yrs of having horses, I never had a horse with a cold, ever. They are strong resilent lovable beasts! There is a weakness here I think....possibly a cribber too...have them lunge this horse for a good hour through the paces, arrive unannounced, watch the horse, view his stall, are there pieces of wood missing with fresh markings? This is what you want to know....caution in the beginning means big savings!!
And let me suggest a great book I hope you can find, called "Disorders of the Horse and what to do about them", by Elsie Hanauer. It was published by Wilshire Book Company,

12015 Sherman Road
North Hollywood, CA 91605

Phone: 818-765-8579 Fax: 818-765-2922
Email: mpowers@mpowers.com

Copyright 1973 by A.S. Barnes and Co.,Inc. It is a marvelous little book. Good luck now!

[This message has been edited by Pauline (edited 02-15-2003).]

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posted 01-27-2003 09:37 AM            

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I have 2 horses, one of which does cough. However, he only does it when being exercised for the first 20 minutes or so. He's been on albuterol for over a year now. Seems to me it's just exercise enduced. He is very healthy otherwise and the cough doesn't seem to affect his performance otherwise.

There are different reasons a horse could cough. Once could actually be the dust in the barn or sometimes hay can cause coughing. I'd def. check w/a vet in your case tho cause you never know.

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From:Middleton Idaho 83644
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posted 02-08-2003 03:32 PM            

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I agree with what everyone has told you.

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From:Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, USA
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posted 02-09-2003 11:10 PM         

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I think you're probably talking about Gentamicin. This is an anitbiotic. I find it strange that the woman would treat with penacillin and then the vet would tell her over the phone to treat with Gentamicin. A cough can be caused by many things like allergies, heaves, respritory problems or more serious diseases. If it were my choice I'd still think about getting her but not with out getting a pre-purchase exam by a vet done. Just pumping a horse full of antibiotics with out knowing why is not an effective way of treating them.

[This message has been edited by rschuene (edited 02-09-2003).]

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posted 05-01-2003 12:31 PM            

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about two years ago I had a horse come into my barn for training... Shortly after he came down with a cough... the quickly spread threw my barn.. each horse had the cough about 2 weeks... in the two weeks he vet was there atleast every other as i had pregnate mares and foals that were developing the cough as well... It was just a simple a cold that went away on its own but at the time Of the cough one mare past it on to her unborn foal which was born about a month after I thought I had finally rid my barn from... now close to two years later the stud colt still has the cough... so it sum it up... The cough may just be a simple cold but if you have other horses at home or plan to show this horse... PLEASE becareful what with the horse...

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