We've got spring shots coming up this week at our barn, and our vet said that they've formulated a new Six-way shot--it's the traditional Five-way (Rhino/Flu, EEE, WEE, Tetanus, and Sleeping) with the West Nile combined into it. We're in southern WI and that's our typical spring vaccine list. Some boarders also choose to give their horses Rabies vacc, but I personally don't think it's necessary (and many vets don't either, unless your area yields a particularly high rabies infection rate, which they would likely know about
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p.s. Just in case it's helpful to anyone, my vet recommends that sensitive horses get their vaccines injected into their hindquarters instead of their neck. They don't seem to react as much, plus there's a lot less soreness. It makes a huge difference in my horse, as well as in a few sensitive TB's at my barn.
I've had vets tell me that vaccines in general are something of a weighted risk. Over-vaccination can causes some pretty serious problems, so you have to weigh that against the severity/likelihood of the virus. My dog's vet recently switched to vaccinating for one thing every three years in a rotation, rather than using a 3-way every year, to try and limit the potential for over-vaccination. (Strangely enough, the same vet doesn't do this for cats, and I've never heard of it for horses, but thought I'd toss that out there.)
Anyways, I agree with the above poster. I'm not opposed to vaccinations in general, but I would probably do the test first if that's an option. (And I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of testing yearly for everything, and only vaccinating when needed...should that practice become "standard".)
I think testing before vaccinating should be the standard now. Perhaps then the price would come down (atleast a little) and more people would opt for it. I'm going to ask my vet about all this of course, but I appreciate the feedback in the meantime. : )
This is more of a request...is that particular article available online? I'd be interested in taking a look at it, but I no longer have a subscription for Equus. =(
I just checked the website and nothing from 2011 is available online yet. If you do get your hands on a subscription though, it's from the March issue and the article is titled: "your vaccination questions answered".
I'm in SW OH and our typical spring set is: Rhino/Flu, EWT, West Nile, and Potomac.
My vets follow the AAEP recommendation on the strangles vaccine - unless a horse is considered "high risk" - traveling a lot, area prone to breakouts, etc - then it's best to leave that vaccine out of the regimen. The barn down the road from where I boarded had a strangles outbreak in the summer. It was contained but I remember talking to my vet about it and she said she still wouldn't recommend it for my horse. None of the horses had been in contact with each other, plus my horses age made her a bad candidate (23).
I think it would be smart to test for antibodies before vaccinating since I've also heard about what you mentioned - it actually being harmful if they have too much. I imagine it would be cheaper to test first so you're not constantly re-vaccinating if you don't need to in the long run.
You've got a point! Jersey has had the intranasal strangles vaccine for the past 3 years. Every time I see a new vet (we travel a lot in michigan!) they say we need another dose. But I say why? I'm all for vaccinating and such but that article in EQUUS really got me thinking. Perhaps I'll get her antibody titer done and see what the results say-I'll let you know!
If you do, would you mind letting us know how much it costs?
And the vet asking for re-administration seems especially unnecessary to me with the intranasal Strangles, particularly because the intranasal uses a live strain.
Exactly what I said! We don't get to stay in one place a lot, so its usually a new vet every year. I'm always careful at keeping her records together though and making sure the vet reviews them before his/her visit, but still...I'd feel more comfortable with the same staff every year. I will definately ask the new one (she seems very calm and intelligent) about the repeat strangles vaccine and I'll make sure to post pricing on Jersey's titer tests. I think it'll be an enlightening experience!
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Anyways, I agree with the above poster. I'm not opposed to vaccinations in general, but I would probably do the test first if that's an option. (And I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of testing yearly for everything, and only vaccinating when needed...should that practice become "standard".)
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My vets follow the AAEP recommendation on the strangles vaccine - unless a horse is considered "high risk" - traveling a lot, area prone to breakouts, etc - then it's best to leave that vaccine out of the regimen. The barn down the road from where I boarded had a strangles outbreak in the summer. It was contained but I remember talking to my vet about it and she said she still wouldn't recommend it for my horse. None of the horses had been in contact with each other, plus my horses age made her a bad candidate (23).
I think it would be smart to test for antibodies before vaccinating since I've also heard about what you mentioned - it actually being harmful if they have too much. I imagine it would be cheaper to test first so you're not constantly re-vaccinating if you don't need to in the long run.
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And the vet asking for re-administration seems especially unnecessary to me with the intranasal Strangles, particularly because the intranasal uses a live strain.
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