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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED VACCINES FOR ADULT HORSES
West Nile/Eastern/Western
Encephalitis (WNEW): These diseases are
transmitted by mosquitoes. Therefore, where there are
mosquitoes, there is risk for these diseases. All 3
diseases cause neurological signs and can be fatal. For
this reason, an annual vaccination is a must!
Tetanus: Tetanus is
caused by a bacteria found everywhere in the
environment. Horses are extremely sensitive to the
bacteria and can develop very serious disease with only
a small exposure through a cut or wound. Again, the
yearly vaccination is VERY IMPORTANT. You do not want
your horse to get tetanus! It is often included in one
vaccination with WNEW.
Rabies: Important
human health issue. Your horse is unlikely to get rabies
but if it does the disease can only be diagnosed after
death, potentially exposing many people to the virus.
Not a good virus to have (see Old Yeller). Inexpensive
and important- Get the vaccination!
Flu/Rhino: Influenza
and Rhinopneumonitis are diseases caused by viruses.
Both diseases cause upper respiratory signs such as
runny nose, cough, and fever. Both diseases occur most
commonly in younger horses (1- 5 yr old) entering
training. However, any horse is susceptible. Flu/Rhino
is recommended as a yearly vaccine for all horses. Those
horses that travel or live in busy environments
(training barns, boarding stables, etc) may require more
frequent vaccination.
COGGINS: A coggins
test is performed to test for the disease Equine
Infectious Anemia. Caused by a virus transmitted by
biting insects, the disease is not treatable once
contracted. If you are showing or traveling to state
parks or out of state a negative coggins test that is
less than one year old is required. The test just
requires a blood sample and the turnaround time is
roughly 24 hours. Please check your current coggins so
that you don’t have to call in a panic needing a coggins
by yesterday!!
VARIABLY RECOMMENDED VACCINES
Strangles: Anyone
around horses knows about strangles. This is a disease
caused by bacteria which invade the upper respiratory
tract causing fever, snotty nose, swollen lymph nodes,
and abscesses. The vaccine is mostly recommended for
horses that are showing or traveling. Outbreaks of
strangles in a barn should be handled in conjunction
with a veterinarian.
VACCINES THAT ARE NOT ROUTINELY RECOMMENDED
Potomac Horse Fever:
Not an effective vaccine. The disease is transmitted by
mayflies and other aquatic insects. Horses kept near
bodies of water may be at risk. Preventative measures
can be taken to minimize exposure to the disease, the
best of which is to turn out lights near the barn/feed
areas at night.
EPM: Not a very
effective vaccine. Not recommended except in special
circumstances. Keeping cats and vermin out of grain and
hay is a good preventative strategy as the organism
which causes the disease is transmitted in the feces of
these animals.
VACCINATING PREGNANT MARES
Pregnant mares should get Rhino virus vaccines at 5, 7,
and 9 months of pregnancy. Then at 10 months they should
receive boosters for all of their vaccines. This ensures
that the mare’s colostrum will be as protective as
possible. This is extremely important as the colostrum
ingested will be the foal’s immune system for its first
few months of life. An ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure!
Depending on the farm, some mares may need other
vaccinations as well. The take home point is to get your
mares boostered at 10 months.
VACCINATING FOALS
WNEWT: If the mare
was properly vaccinated foals should receive first shot
in between 5-6 months and then follow up with a second
booster in 3-5 weeks. If the mare was not vaccinated
prior to foaling then the foal can be vaccinated in
between 4-5 months of age.
F/R: Should give
first shot around 9-10 months of age, followed by a
second dose 3-5 weeks later.
Rabies: Usually give
after 6 months of age.
Strangles: Hold off
on giving strangles until they are almost a year old.
Again 2 doses are necessary.
*** And don't forget when the foals are born in the
spring that they need to have a thorough veterinary exam
including a test to make sure they received enough
colostrum by approximately 12 hours after birth!***
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