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Equine vaccinations
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Introduction
Vaccination is the process of administering weakened or dead pathogens to a healthy person or animal, with the intent of conferring immunity against a targeted form of a related disease agent.
The term was coined by Edward Jenner (1796) and adapted by Louis Pasteur for his pioneering work in vaccination. Vaccination (Latin: vacca—cow) is so named because the first vaccine was derived from a virus affecting cows: the cowpox virus, a relatively benign virus that provides a degree of immunity to smallpox, a contagious and deadly disease.
The vaccinations administered by your veterinarian to your horse place a protective barrier between the animal and a whole list of problems: tetanus, encephalomyelitis(sleeping sickness), influenza, rhinopneumonitis,rabies, strangles, and Potomac Horse Fever, to name the most common.
Vaccinations are a vital part of proper equine management. If incorporated into a program that includes regular deworming, an ample supply of clean water, a good nutrition program, and a safe environment, you and your horse will be all set to enjoy many happy, healthy, productive years together.
Vaccination by injection (left). Vaccination into the upper lip of a horse (right)
What to expect
A good immunization program is essential to responsible horse ownership, but just as in humans, vaccination does not guarantee 100% protection. In some situations, immunization may decrease the severity of disease but not prevent it completely. This is due to many complicated scientific reasons, such as differences in the virulence or severity of some diseases (such as influenza).
Vaccination involves the injection (with a sterile syringe and needle) of bacteria or viruses that are inactivated or modified to avoid causing actual disease in the horse. Two or more doses are usually needed to initiate an adequate immune response. Once the immunization procedure is completed, the protective antibodies in the blood stand guard against the invasion of specific diseases. Over time, however, these antibodies gradually decline.
Therefore, a booster shot is needed at regular intervals. Protection against some diseases such as tetanus and rabies can be accomplished by boostering once a year. Others require more frequent intervals to provide adequate protection.
Vaccinations needed
The specific immunizations needed by a particular horse or horses depend upon several factors: environment, age, use, exposure risk, value, geographic location, and general management.
Your local equine veterinary practitioner can help you determine the vaccination program best suited to your horse’s individual needs. The following diseases are those most often vaccinated against. Again, your local practitioner will know what is best for your horse.
The most common diseases to vaccinate against are equine influenza and tetanus
EQUINE INFLUENZA (FLU)
This is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the horse and is one of the most contagious virus groups in the horse. The virus can be transmitted by aerosol from horse to horse over distances as far as 30 yards, for example, by snorting or coughing. Signs to watch for are similar to those in a human with a cold, i.e., dry cough, nasal discharge, fever, depression, and loss of appetite. With proper care, most horses recover in about 10 days. Some, however, may show symptoms for weeks, especially if put back to work too soon. Influenza is not only expensive to treat, but results in a lot of “down time” and indirect financial loss, not to mention discomfort for your horse.
Unfortunately, influenza viruses constantly change in an effort to bypass the horse’s immune defense. Therefore, duration of protection is short-lived and revaccination is recommended every two to four months. Not all horses need influenza vaccination. However, animals that travel or are exposed to other horses should be regularly immunized against influenza. Follow your veterinarian’s advice as to whether your horse needs influenza vaccine.
TETANUS
Sometimes called “lockjaw,” tetanus is caused by toxin-producing bacteria present in the intestinal tract of many animals and found in abundance in the soil where horses live. Its spores can exist for years. The spores enter the body through wounds, lacerations, or the umbilicus of newborn foals. Therefore, although not contagious from horse to horse, tetanus poses a constant threat to horses and humans alike.
Symptoms include muscle stiffness and rigidity, flared nostrils, hypersensitivity, and the legs stiffly held in a sawhorse stance. As the disease progresses, muscles in the jaw and face stiffen, preventing the animal from eating or drinking. More than 80 percent of affected horses die.
All horses should be immunized annually against tetanus. Additional boosters for mares and foals may be recommended by your veterinarian. Available vaccines are inexpensive, safe, and provide good protection.
STRANGLES
Strangles is a disease of the upper respiratory system and the lymph nodes of the head. It is caused by the organism Streptococcus equi. It rapidly spreads from horse to horse through coughing, or by the horse eating or drinking infective droplets. The discharge may remain infective for over a month.
Within 3–8 days of becoming infected, the horse will show a fever (39.5–40.5°C). The throat and larynx become so extremely inflamed that swallowing food or water becomes very painful or impossible. The lymph nodes of the head become swollen and very painful, and may eventually burst and discharge a thick creamy yellow pus.
Occasionally the infection spreads to other parts of the body, when it is then known as ‘bastard strangles’. This form is difficult and sometimes impossible to cure. Treatment involves isolation, antibiotics and supportive nursing. Disinfection of saddlery, grooming equipment, food boxes etc. must be done to stop transmission of the disease to other horses.
RHINOPNEUMONITIS
Two distinct viruses, equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EJ-IV-4), cause two different diseases, both of which are known as rhinopneu-monitis. Both cause respiratory tract problems, and EHV-1 may also cause abortion, foal death, and paralysis. Infected horses may be feverish and lethargic, and may lose appetite and experience nasal discharge and a cough. Young horses suffer most from respiratory tract infections and may develop pneumonia secondary to EHV-1.
Rhinopneumonitis is spread by aerosol and by direct contact with secretions, utensils, or drinking water. Virus may be present but inapparent in carrier animals.
All pregnant mares must be immunized. Foals, weanlings, yearlings, and young horses under stress also should be vaccinated. Immune protection is short. Therefore, pregnant mares are vaccinated at least during the 5th, 7th, and 9th months of gestation, and youngsters at high risk need a booster at least every three months. Many veterinarians recommend vaccinations at two-month intervals year-round.
ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
More commonly known as sleeping sickness,” this disease is caused by the Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus or the Eastern version (EEE). WEE has been noted throughout North America, while EEE appears only in the east and southeast. VEE, the Venezuelan variety, has not been seen in the United States for many years. However, a recent outbreak of VEE occurred in Mexico.
Sleeping sickness is most often transmitted by mosquitoes, after the insects have acquired the virus from birds and rodents. Humans also are susceptible when bitten by an infected mosquito, but direct horse-to- horse or horse-to-human transmission is very rare.
Symptoms vary widely, but all result from the degeneration of the brain. Early signs include fever, depression, and appetite loss. Later, a horse might stagger when it walks, and paralysis develops in later stages. About 50 percent of horses infected with WEE die, and the death rate is 70 to 90 percent of animals infected with EEE or VEE.
All horses need an EEE and WEE vaccine at least annually. Pregnant mares and foals may require additional vaccinations. The best time to vaccinate is spring, before the mosquitoes become active. In the South and West, some veterinarians choose to add a booster shot in the fall to ensure extra protection all year-round.
OTHER DISEASE THREATS
Several other diseases are common, although the need for vaccination against them is a highly individual one. Rely on your veterinarian to guide you.
Other diseases include:
• Rabies. A frightening disease which is more common in some areas than others. Horses are infected infrequently, but death always occurs. Rabies can be transmitted from horses to humans.
• Botulism. Known as “shaker foal syndrome” in young horses, this disease can be serious. Botulism in adult horses, “forage poisoning,” also can be fatal. Vaccines are not available for all types of botulism, but pregnant mares can be vaccinated in endemic areas.
• Equine viral arteritis (EVA). A complicated disease which can result in some breeding restrictions and export problems. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations.
• Potomac Horse Fever. This is a seasonal disease seen generally in the summer months. It had been reported in 33-plus states as of summer 1998. The disease is characterized by high fever, severe diarrhea, malaise, depression, anorexia and very often a severe founder that can effect all four feet. It has a high mortality rate. There is now an annual vaccine for the prevention of this disease. It is best to give one in early spring. Initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three to four weeks and annual re-vaccination thereafter. Contact your veterinarian.
In a nutschell For primary immunization, an initial vaccination is required, followed by a repeat dose in 3-4 weeks. The following is a handy reference guide for scheduling your horse’s immunizations:
• Influenza. Most horses. Foals at 3-6 months, then every 3 months. Traveling horses every 3 months. Brood mares biannually, plus booster 4-6 weeks pre-foaling.
• Tetanus. All horses. Foals at 2-4 months. Annually thereafter. Brood mares at 4-6 weeks before foaling.
• Encephalomyelitis. All horses. Foals at 2-4 months. Annually in spring thereafter. Brood mares at 4-6 weeks before foaling.
• Rhinopneumonitis. Foals at 2-4 months and younger horses in training. Repeat at 2- to 3-month intervals. All brood mares at least during 5th, 7th, and 9th months of gestation.
• Rabies. Foals at 2-4 months. Annually thereafter.
• Strangles. Foals at 8-12 weeks. Biannually for high-risk horses. Brood mares biannually with one dose 4-6 weeks pre-foaling.
• Potomac Horse Fever. Foals at 2-4 months. Biannually for older horses. Brood mares biannually with one dose at 4-6 weeks pre-foaling.
Many combination vaccinations are available. Please check with your local equine practitioner.
Appropriate vaccinations are the best and most cost-effective weapon you have against common infectious diseases of the horse. A program designed with the help and advice of your local veterinarian will keep your horses — and you — happy and healthy for many years to come.
FAQ
• Does my horse need rest after vaccination?
No. This was a recommendation for older vaccines, and is no longer stipulated with more modern vaccines. Nevertheless, talk to your vet, as he or she will be able to offer tailor-made advice for your particular horse and the work it is doing.
• I have heard vaccines can cause side effects: is this true?
Serious side effects following vaccinations are extremely rare. Although all veterinary vaccines undergo thorough, independent evaluation of their safety, efficacy and quality, occasional reactions may occur in individual cases. This may be an injection site reaction, allergic reaction or general malaise.
ARE YOUR HORSE’S VACCINATIONS UPTO DATE?
