Why Does My Horse Have Mucus?

The common causes of nasal discharge include strangles, sinus infections, tooth problems, and guttural pouch infections.

Is it normal for horses to have snot?

It is normal in a lot of horses to have a slight clear discharge after exercise. However, infection and inflammation may be the cause of a thicker, more discoloured and foul-smelling discharge.

What does it mean when snot comes out of a horses nose?

Common causes of bilateral nasal discharge in horses are viral or bacterial respiratory infection, allergic respiratory disease, EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage), pharyngitis, pneumonia, guttural pouch infection and strangles.

What does it mean when a horse has green snot?

In this instance, a green (purulent) discharge would, most likely, indicate the presence of a viral infection, which are often highly contagious to other horses. The most common viral respiratory infections are equine influenza, herpes virus and rhinotracheitis.

What are the first signs of strangles in horses?

What are the clinical signs of strangles? The incubation period for strangles is 3 to 8 days, at which point clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes with abscess formation may appear.

How do you clear a horse’s sinuses?

One surgical option is to do a trephination into the infected sinus. This involves drilling a hole that is approximately ¾ inch in diameter, with the horse sedated and standing. The puss within the sinus can be flushed through the trephine hole.

What does pneumonia look like in horses?

Signs of pneumonia include nasal discharge, fever and depression. Practicing biosecurity, vaccinating against respiratory infections and managing chronic illnesses can help prevent pneumonia in your horse.

How do you tell if a horse has a cold?

The first signs of a cold can be a dull and listless appearance with tired eyes. Often horses are noticed for reduced appetite. In the advanced stages, there may be sudden fever, coughing and shortness of breath, plus increased nasal discharge or swelling of the lymph nodes on the head.

What can I give my horse for snotty cough and nose?

Echinacea Root (Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea) Use for all acute or chronic infections including the common cold, respiratory conditions, catarrh, bronchial asthma or a cough.

What does strangles look like on a horse?

Infected horses often develop a nasal discharge which may start clear but becomes thick with pus and often copious in amount. They frequently also develop a cough. In very rare cases, the bacteria may affect other lymph nodes in the body and cause abscesses to form through out the horse’s body.

What color should horse snot be?

Small amounts of clear discharge from equine nostrils is considered a normal finding. White discharge is commonly associated with viral or allergic processes. Yellow discharge tends to be associated with bacterial infection. Green nasal discharge can indicate feed material within it.

Do you need antibiotics for green mucus?

When viruses that cause colds first infect the nose and sinuses, the nose makes clear mucus. This helps wash the viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic.

How long does a respiratory infection last in horses?

Nasal discharge usually is clear at first, but often changes to yellow, then green after a few days. Horses typically will develop a mild cough and some will have minor lymph node enlargement under their jaws. In uncomplicated cases, most horses will recover in seven to 14 days.

Can humans get sick from a horse with strangles?

In rare cases, humans have contracted infections from the bacteria that cause Strangles. To prevent human infection, people caring for horses with Strangles should avoid getting any nasal or abscess discharge from the horse on their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Can horses survive strangles?

Most animals fully recover from strangles in two to four weeks. Although enduring immunity against re-infection is variable, in some equids it can last for years. However, not all horses develop a protective immunity upon recovery.

What is bastard strangles in horses?

Metastatic strangles (sometimes called “bastard strangles”) is a condition in which lymph nodes in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen and chest, are affected. The diagnosis of strangles is confirmed by bacterial culture of secretions from abscesses or nasal swab samples.

How do you tell if a horse has a sinus infection?

Typical clinical signs are a persistent discharge of mucous from the nostril on the affected side and swelling on the outer surfaces of the sinuses. These horses will also have swelling on the inside of the sinuses that partly closes the nasal passage.

What are the symptoms of lung worms in horses?

Signs of lungworm infection range from moderate coughing with slightly increased respiratory rates to unthriftiness in older horses. Infections with few or no visible signs can occur in foals and donkeys. Diagnosis is based on these signs, known transmission patterns, and the presence of first-stage larvae in feces.

What do you give a horse with a respiratory infection?

Ceftiofur sodium was evaluated as a therapy for respiratory infections in horses. This cephalosporin antimicrobial was administered intramuscularly every 24 h and at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg (1.0 mg/lb) of body weight.

What are the signs of leptospirosis in horses?

Clinical signs include depression, fever, loss of appetite, and signs of uveitis — also called moon blindness — where inflammation within the eye causes tearing, swelling, discharge, and cloudiness. Chronic uveitis can lead to blindness. Pregnant mares can also abort.

How long do colds last in horses?

Most simple viruses will go though in 10-12 days. Symptoms after that, especially if the mucus become thick and coloured, may indicate an infection and a veterinarian will be needed.