Vaccines

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Vaccines

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

No comment in regards to vaccinating anybody; I've got nobody to vaccinate! However, we always got the standard "required" vaccines ie West Niles, Rabies, etc. I am intrigued as to why this particular horse was not safe-guarded against this horrible condition, or if it was and it somehow got around the vaccine? Spooky to think of, and it's a shame that the horse had to go through it if the owners didn't get it the proper preventatives in the first place.

-- Edited by Barnmouser Ash on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 01:32:26 PM

justice · Grand Prix

There had been notable controversy and heated discussion in the recent past as to how necessary annual inoculations are, including Rabies and others. Many folks felt that annuals are not needed if the horse is primarily home and forewent "spring shots" for a while. Adverse reactions to vaccine and injection site anomalies have also been reported but for me, altho the rate of Rabies might be 5 reported cases within the past score or so, I don't wish for any of mine, or yours! to be number 6 (in one State). Our horses live on farms, either home or down the road. Critters (carriers, not just the afflicted!) like farms and cruise thru regularly : )

I am conservative with my homebodies (Rabies, Tet, EEE, EWE, WN and a Coggins for those that even MIGHT go out for an event or two) but on the circuit, there are minimum requirements per venue and with the transiency and volume of equine traffic, all managed by humans, I am more than willing to meet the call, or even just not compete : )

-- Edited by justice on Thursday 21st of April 2011 06:35:13 AM

dangerbunnygirl · Well Schooled

I think tetanus and rabies are the big ones, other ones depending on where you live and what the horses are doing, you have to talk to your vet and make the call. I like to support my horses immune system as much as possible and prefer not give vaccines that aren't necessary. For example when I lived in upper Michigan I didn't give Rabies since there simply isn't much rabies up there and the odds of a horse contracting it is very very low, now that I live in lower Michigan I always give the rabies vaccines.

Barnmouser Ash · Grand Prix

I would definitely consider getting a vaccine against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) - It's one of the "core" vaccines, so it should come "standard" when you get your horses vaccinated, but just to be sure I would check with your vet.

I would also highly suggest vaccinating against Equine Herpes Virus this year especially, as there have been several outbreaks on the east coast of North America (I believe started at race tracks... ?)