In the evening he was eating well and we took him on a nice long walk - he grazed enthusiastically and seemed better. 

Saturday - May 5 The coughing and snotty nose have become much worse. We called the vet out. He diagnosed severe bronchitis - nearly pneumonia - with congestion throughout the lungs.

He said it was a good thing we called him because by Monday things might have been irreversible. Even so, he talked about IF Sparky recovered, not WHEN. I was very freaked out! 

He started him on antibiotics, which we will continue for 14 days, and he took a blood sample.

By Monday Sparky was showing improvement, and the blood work report came back encouraging: the white cell and fibrinogen levels were high normal - not indicative of an intractable deep-seated problem (such as "bastard strangles" - internal abcesses). 

When the vet said we'd have to administer oral antibiotics for 14 days, I thought "fat chance." Well, no problem! I dissolve the pills in maple syrup and Sparky LOVES it! He comes running when he sees the medicine syringe.

By Thursday Sparky seemed almost fully recovered, although we will continue the antibiotics. We had the farrier out to trim his feet. He did SO well! We felt proud of him. And now he walks much more easily, without tripping over his long hooves.