Vaccination of horses is a hot topic of discussion among all veterinarians. There is no standard protocol that applies to all the horses when it comes to vaccinating them. The type of vaccination to be given to horses may vary depending upon their geographical location, type of breed, type of job assigned (if any), age, sex and several other factors. Although no animal rights law or routine binds you to get your horse vaccinated, it could be really helpful in the matter of their safety if you discuss with a good veterinarian the vaccinations that your horse may need. Among horses, the side effects of any vaccination are rare to witness. There are some core vaccines which are considered important for all horses. The other vaccines, often referred to as optional vaccines, could again depend on the above mentioned factors. Before deciding on to actually get your horse vaccinated, it is crucial to know that the veterinary practitioner you are considering is certified and experienced or not.
Here's an insight over some core and essential vaccination that is general for all types of horses.
Necessary Vaccination for horses
Rabies: Rabies, transmitted either through the bite of stray or wild animals such as dogs, foxes, bats, skunks and racoons, or through other mammals (indirect transmission) is considered to be fatal. It is highly contagious and spreads rapidly from one location to another. Rabies could be prevented in horses by annual dose of vaccination. The person administering the vaccination for rabies, however, must be a certified veterinary practitioner in order to narrow down the room for errors.
Tetanus: Tetanus, caused by Clostridium tetani (anaerobic bacteria) is another fatal disease among mammals that can be caused through exposure or contamination of wounds in horses. These bacteria are generally present in the soil. Hence, horses (of any age group and sex), among all other animals are most susceptible of acquiring this disease. The horses should be vaccinated twice for tetanus in a period of 2 to 3 weeks, as prescribed and administered by the doctor. They have to be then boostered annually or as suggested by the vet.
EEE: The EEE or the Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a neurological disease which spreads through mosquitoes which carry the eastern encephalitis virus. These mosquitoes generally feed on birds. In most of the cases, the horses could not survive. Even if they do, they have serious neurological complications. The vaccination schedule depends on the locality where the horse resides and how often does it travel and hence could either be annual or biannual.
West Nile Virus: The WNv or the West Nile Virus is yet another fatal disease which is transmitted to humans, horses, etc. This virus, similar to the EEE and WEE, spreads through mosquitoes which feed on birds. The disease, as estimated by medical experts and observatories, is 33 per cent fatal in the case of horses. Depending on the several risk factors involved, the vaccination schedule could either be annual or biannual. The vaccine is effectively safe but it must be administered by an experienced and certified veterinary practitioner.
Strangles: It is a highly contagious disease among horses and must be prevented through proper vaccination before it could be acquired. Strangles is caused by a group of bacteria called Streptococcus equi, which are highly persistent in the environment. Strangles is not very common among horses but if acquired, it is characterized by high fever and swelling of lymph nodes and upper throat. The horses can be vaccinated against this disease effectively either through injection or intranasal techniques. The vaccines must be administered carefully by experienced veterinarians annually; especially in the case of horses that travel a lot.
As previously mentioned, there may be several other vaccines which could be useful for your horse but not so useful in general. This could be easily determined by consulting a good veterinarian. Other optional vaccines may be against potentially dangerous diseases such as influenza, Potomac Horse fever (PHF), Botulism, etc. The major risk factors based on which you should consider vaccination include: Pregnancy, age, in and out traffic and geographical locations. There are certain instructional guidelines issued by American Association of Equine Practitioners, drafted after years of expertise and experience, which can be used as a reference by both veterinary practitioners and horse owners at any time. Vaccination, although not essential, could be worth a heavy investment if the horses are used for commercial purposes and most importantly they are the best rescue from any serious medical situation that may arrive.
