SPRING VACCINES

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall, 4-way, 5-way, tetanus, Flu, what was it again that I need to vaccinate my horse??  - There are a lot of different vaccines available and it’s hard to keep it all straight. But there are two basic categories of vaccines---Core vaccines and Risk-based vaccines. If you want to review the nitty-gritty of equine vaccines as recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners - see the website www.AAEP.org .

Core vaccines are something that all horses should have at least yearly because the risk of disease is significant, the disease may be of public health significance, or even required by law.  AAEP includes vaccination for Tetanus, EEE/WEE or east and western equine encephalitis (a neurologic or spinal and brain disease), West Nile, and Rabies as part of the Core recommendations.  Rabies is the newest addition to the Core category, as of February 2009. In Arizona, there have been more reported cases of rabies in wildlife, domestic species and humans than ever before in our recorded rabies history. Rabies vaccines have been labeled for use in horses for many years, are one of the safest vaccines, and should be added to your Core vaccination program for your horse.

All the core vaccines come as separate vaccines or grouped together, hence the 3-4-5-way. The Tetanus, EEE/WEE and Rabies vaccines need yearly boosters. The West Nile vaccine, in low-risk regions is also yearly, and preferably in the spring when the chance of mosquitoes is most likely.  In higher risk regions, West Nile vaccine should be given every 6 months. In Arizona, it's best to include WN vaccine in your spring protocol, and in a particularly wet and humid monsoon season, a second booster for the year is warranted.

Risk-based vaccines are those vaccines that are given when a risk-benefit-cost analysis has been reviewed. This analysis should result as a conversation with your veterinarian, and include your horse’s age and what your horse does for living (backyard, trail, show, rodeo, community living).

The vaccines that should be considered in Arizona are Influenza, Equine Herpes Virus or EHV 1&4, and Strangles (Strep.equi). The vaccines for these diseases are offered as injectable or intranasal, and single or combined, and are given dependant upon risk, or at least yearly. A discussion with your veterinarian regarding your horse’s health risks will lead to the correct vaccine program for your horse.

Cheryl Rahal, DVM ACVIM - Published in Bridle & Bit  www.bridleandbit.com - 3/17

Phone: 623-581-1558    Email: DesertHillsAnimalClinic@hotmail.com