Fall Vaccines
Article provided by Reata Equine Veterinarian
T
hough the temperatures haven’t started
dropping, autumn is fast approaching
and it’s time for the next round of
vaccinations for our equine companions. Few
things will protect your horse from disease as
easily and effectively as immunizations. Today’s
vaccines are safe and effective, costing far less
time, money, and heartache than treatments
for active infection. For the greatest effect, it is
important to know what diseases to vaccinate
against, when to vaccinate and how often, and
whether to schedule a wellness exam with your
veterinarian or perform your own vaccinations.
Strangles (streptococcus equi equi):
intranasal vaccination administered by
veterinarian, should only be given to young
show horses and horses moving into recently
affected herd due to potential associated
side effects.
Even if you plan on administering your own
vaccinations, call your veterinarian to discuss
current recommendations and any recent
disease outbreaks in your area. We strongly
encourage owners to have general wellness
exams performed on their horses semiannually to assess overall health. Below is a
brief description and general core vaccine
recommendations.
1
Tetanus: always present in environment,
should receive annually, usually given in
spring, booster may be required with
open wounds.
Sleeping Sickness and West Nile Virus
(EEE/WEE/WNV): mosquito-borne neurologic
diseases, should receive in early spring and
sometimes again in the fall if mosquito season
lasts greater than 6 months.
Rabies: increasing prevalence in Southern
Arizona, should receive annually (usually in
fall), must be administered by a veterinarian.
Vaccination for the follow diseases are not
considered “core,” but may be recommended
by your veterinarian depending on your horse’s
individual needs.
Equine Herpes Virus/Rhinopneumonitis
(EHV): respiratory, abortive, and neurologic
forms spread by contact with respiratory
secretions, vaccination only effective against
respiratory and abortive forms, recommended
in fall for most horses and mo ɔ