Equine Vaccines
Routine Care For a Healthy Horse
Equine vaccines are a required part of your horse's routine care. Making sure your horse is vaccinated on a regular basis is also a part of your commitment to responsible horse care. Vaccinations prevent the spread of disease among horse populations and prevent your horse from contracting certain illnesses or disease.
Even if your horse is a solo pasture ornament, vaccinations are still recommended to ensure they too remain as healthy as possible. A horse's vaccination schedule will depend on age, use, and living environment. Considerations will also be made if certain diseases are more prevalent in your area.
For more helpful veterinary information please visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/horzvet
Types Of Vaccines
West Nile VirusWest Nile virus is a disease spread by mosquitoes causing inflammation or swelling of major nervous system structures such as the brain and spinal cord. Equine vaccines for West Nile is the best method of reducing your horse's risk from becoming infected with the disease. This equine vaccination, for horses that have not previously had one, is administered in 2 doses at 3-6 weeks apart. In areas of higher risk a booster is required 2-3 times per year, and in areas of lower risk an annual booster is adequate. Please check with your local veterinarian for information and recommendations for your area. The following guidelines are from the American Association of Equine Practices(AAEP):
Foals: First Dose: 3-4 months, Second Dose: 1 month later (possibly a 3rd dose at 6 months in higher risk areas)
Yearlings: Annual booster prior to peak insect season. Can vaccinate 2-3 times per year in higher risk areas.
All Working Horses: Annual booster prior to peak insect season. Can vaccinate 2-3 times per year in higher risk areas.
Broodmares: Annually 4-6 weeks prior to foaling
Tetanus
Tetanus is a risk that every horse faces and can be fatal due to a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria. The equine vaccine for tetanus is considered a "core" vaccine for all horses. Generally contracted from puncture wounds, cuts, and exposed tissue, tetanus is not considered a contagious disease. The vaccine is usually administered annually, but a horse should be revaccinated following an injury or surgery.
Foals: If from an unvaccinated mare the foal should receive the first dose within 3-4 months. The second dose should then be administered at 4-5 months. If the foal is from a vaccinated mare, the first dose should occur at 6 months. The second dose should then be administered at 7 months, followed by a third dose at 8-9 months.
Yearlings: Vaccinate annually.
Working Horses: Vaccinate Annually
Broodmares: Vaccinate annually and 4-6 weeks prior to foaling.
for more helpful veterinary information please visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/horzvet
Encephalomyelitis
Transmission is through mosquito populations and other blood sucking insects. There are several variants of encephalomyelitis including eastern (EEE), western (WEE), and Venezuelan (VEE). West Nile is also considered to be a part of this category of diseases. The most common and deadly form is EEE which is what most horses are vaccinated for.
Risk for exposure to each type can change from year to year. Horses are generally receive equine vaccines with a whole virus product for EEE and WEE, while equine vaccines for VEE only contain a killed virus.
Foals: In higher risk areas, foals should be vaccinated first at 3-4 months, second at 4-5 months, and third at 5-6 months. In lower risk areas, foals from unvaccinated mares can be vaccinated first at 3-4 months, second at 4-5 months, and third at 5-6 months. Foals from vaccinated mare in lower risk areas can be vaccinated first at 6 months, second at 7 months, and third at 8 months.
Yearlings: Annual vaccination in the spring
Working Horses: Annual vaccination in the spring
Broodmares: Annually 4-6 weeks before foaling is recommended
Influenza
A very common infectious disease of the horse's respiratory system. It is present in equine populations worldwide and infections occur sporadically. Horses having regular social interaction with other horses should always have equine vaccines to prevent the spread of this disease. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly among groups of horses.
This equine vaccine comes in three varieties including inactivated, modified-live cold-adapted, and canary pox vector. The inactivated vaccine contains multiple strains of influenza. They require either a 2-3 dose series depending on what your veterinarian recommends. The modified-live vaccine is given in intranasal form and has been proven to be very safe and effective. The vaccine protects for one year. The canary pox vector is administered in the muscle as a shot and provides 6 months of protection. There is a two-dose primary series followed by boosters every 6 months.
Foals: For the inactivated equine vaccine and from an unvaccinated mare, foals should be vaccinated first at 6 months, second at 7 months, third at 8 months, and then every 3 months. From a vaccinated mare a foal can be vaccinated first at 9 months, second at 10 months, third at 11-12 months, and then every 3 months. For the modified-live vaccine, a foal should be vaccinated first at 11 months.
Yearlings: Vaccinated every 3-4 months to every 6 months.
Working Horses: Vaccinate every 3-4 months to every 6 months
Rhinopneumonitis
A virus that infects the respiratory tract consisting of two types, 2 and 4. The equine herpes virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4) are spread through the air. infected horses may demonstrate a combination of symptoms including fever, fatigue, cough, or nasal discharge. There are two types of this equine vaccine: inactivated and modified live.
The inactivated equine vaccine comes in a variety of forms to be administered. Vaccines can target protection against respiratory disease only or both respiratory disease and abortion protection. The modified-live vaccine (MLV) has demonstrated superior protection from disease, but research has not clinically compared it to the inactivated forms.
Foals: Vaccinate first at 4-6 months, second at 5-7 months, third at 6-8 months, and then every 3 months.
Yearlings: Every 3-4 months to annually.
Working Horses: Every 3-4 months to annually.
Broodmares: During the 5th, 7th, and 9th month of pregnancy. Also recommended to vaccinate before breeding and 4-6 weeks before foaling.
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Strangles
Caused by a streptococcus bacterium that is highly contagious among horses. Common in younger horses, but affects horses of all ages. It is spread direct contact or indirectly. Symptoms of infection include fever, difficulty swallowing or eating, and nasal discharge. Vaccine types include a killed vaccine and MLV.
The killed vaccine does not always prevent the disease, but have been shown to reduce a horse's risk by 50%. The MLV is given in intranasal form and shown to provide high levels of immunity.
Foals: First at 4-6 months, second at 5-7 months, third at 7-8 months, and fourth at 12 months.
Yearlings: Two times per years
Working Horses: Twice per year if at higher risk.
Broodmares: Twice per year with one dose (M-protein vaccine) provided 4-6 weeks before foaling.
Rabies
Infection among equines is more infrequent compared to some of the other diseases listed on this page. Despite the infection rate being low among equines, exposure is fatal. Exposure is mainly through direct contact with a rabid animal. The virus affects the nervous system, causing fatal encephalitis. There are three equine vaccines available which are all inactive and given by intramuscular injection.
Foals: Foals from unvaccinated mares can be dosed first at 3-4 months, and second at 12 months. Foals from vaccinated mares can be dosed first at 6 months, second at 7 months, and third at 12 months.
Yearlings: Annually.
Working Horses: Annually.
Broodmares: Annually, prior to breeding.
Potomac
A sporadic disease usually occurring between late spring and early fall, with most cases at the onset of hot weather. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, laminitis, and colic. Vaccines are available commercially in killed form and can also come combined with a rabies vaccination.
Foals: Foals can be dosed first at 5-6 months, and second at 6-7 months.
Yearlings: Twice per year.
Working Horses: Twice per year.
Broodmares: Twice per year with one dose 5-6 before foaling.
Botulism
Develops from the toxins produced by the bacteria, Clostridium botulinum which is found in the soil. Can be transmitted through the intestinal tract of digestive system or from toxin produced in open wounds. The vaccine comes in the killed form .
Foals: Foals from unvaccinated mares can be vaccinated in a 3-dose series beginning at 1-3 months of age and continuing at 30-day intervals. Foals from vaccinated mares can be dosed in a series of three beginning at 2-3 months of age and continuing at 4-week intervals. Foals at a higher risk can also be vaccinated as early as 2 weeks of age.
Yearlings: As directed by your veterinarian.
Working Horses: As directed by your veterinarian.
Broodmares: Begin a 3-dose series at 30-day intervals with the last dose occurring at 4-6 week prior to foaling and annually.
Equine Viral Arteritis
Caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV) it can cause abortion in pregnant mares. Occurs through direct contact and a majority of infections are asymptomatic. The vaccine is a MLV and provides protection against infection and when administered following an outbreak, it can prevent further spread of the disease.
Foals: Should be administered to intact colts intended for breeding once at 6 months and again at 12 months.
Yearlings: Annually for colts intended to be used for breeding.
Working Horses: Annually for colts for breeding.
Broodmares: Annually to open mares prior to breeding to carrier stallions. Following the breeding the mare should be isolated for 21 days.
Rotavirus
Commonly seen in foals causing poor digestive function and diarrhea. Vaccinating mares provides some protection to foals and decreased incidents. The vaccine is administered to pregnant mares and is considered to be safe for foals.
Foals: Not recommended due to little value to vaccinate.
Yearlings: N/A
Working Horses: N/A
Broodmares: Vaccinate at 8 months, 9 months, and 10 months of pregnancy.
for more information please visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/horzvet
Why Vaccinate?
Equine vaccines are a vital part of responsible horse ownership. It is important that you maintain an up to date immunization program to help protect your horse from contracting any life threatening diseases. Vaccinating will also help keep your horse from transmitting the disease to other horses. Common equine vaccines are used to protect from rabies, strangles, tetanus, influenza, and encephalomyelitis.You are providing your horse protection from some of the fatal and damaging symptoms that occur with the spread of these diseases. Sickness and disease spreads just as easily among horse populations as certain contagious disease spreads among human populations. For information on what should be included in your current immunization program and which equine vaccines you should use, please consult your veterinarian.
How To Vaccinate
Not every horse will have the same vaccination schedule or vaccination requirements. You must take into consideration the area you live in and if you are more at risk for certain diseases than other regions of the country.Getting your horse vaccinated is mostly done through contacting your veterinarian. You also have the option of vaccinating your horse yourself. This I would only recommend if you have some experience administering equine vaccines to avoid injury to your horse and possibly yourself. If you are considering vaccinating your horse on your own, please consult with your veterinarian.
