Maintaining the health of your horses is a primary responsibility of horse ownership. Keeping the horse on the ground forces the animal to obey the master. If he does not keep a good, healthy horse, the animal will suffer. One of the most important health measures you should take to maintain your horse’s health is annual vaccinations.
Vaccinations are most commonly given in the spring, but choose whatever time of year works best for you. By vaccinating in the spring, your horse will benefit from a fresh immune boost against diseases it encounters during the busy and warm summer months. The summer season is the most common time to transmit diseases because of the frequency of shows and competitions.
You will need to be guided by your veterinarian regarding the exact vaccination schedule you will need to follow. The reason for this is that all horses are affected differently and have different needs. The horse’s experience, age, breed, and location all play a role in which vaccinations your horse should receive and how often it will need to be revaccinated.
Most vaccinations are given in a series of two shots, typically 4-6 weeks apart. These first vaccinations are usually given in the first year of the horse’s life, but if the horse has not been vaccinated as a foal or weanling, it will still need to be doubled the first time it is given to an adult horse. After the initial vaccinations, a course of vaccines will need to be administered to maintain resistance to the disease. Several races are given on the annual schedule, but depending on the horse and several other factors, they can be more or less frequent.
The first disease any horse is vaccinated against is encephalomyelitis. This disease is commonly called “sleeping sickness”. Encephalomyelitis is a group of viruses that attack the brain. The most common types that affect horses in North America include WEE (Western Equine Encephalomyelitis) and EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis). Encephalomyelitis is spread by mosquitoes, which acquire the virus from birds and rodents. Early symptoms of WEE or EEE include: fever, depression and poor appetite. Finally the horse becomes completely paralyzed until death.
Influenza is a highly contagious disease of horses; by horses, as by men, so it can be transferred very quickly by horses. Sneezing and coughing can spew the virus into the air, where another horse can inhale it. Once inside the horse’s respiratory system respiratory, the virus leads to coughing, sneezing, runny noses, fever and malaise. appetite This influenza is highly contagious and requires vaccination, especially if you travel with your horse or come into contact with other horses. While influenza is typically not life-threatening to a horse, it can lead to permanent respiratory damage if not addressed. Flu vaccines will be needed for up to 3 months for a very active horse. Your veterinarian will advise you and teach you how often you need to be vaccinated against influenza.
Potomac Equine Fever is a non-contagious disease that affects horses. This disease can cause subtle symptoms such as depression, fever and lack of appetite. If not addressed, it can eventually lead to equine anorexia, diarrhea and laminitis. You can treat Potomac horse fever, but the treatment is quite expensive and requires intravenous antibiotics for up to a week.
Rhinopneumonitis is a disease that affects the respiratory tract in horses. There are two types of rhinopneumonitis, type 1 and type 4. Type 4 is less serious and can cause respiratory complications that can affect the horse for many months. Type 1 is the most dangerous for mares and foals, which can result in many birth defects and even miscarriage in pregnant mares. All pregnant mares are vaccinated against Rhinopneumonitis in their 5th, 7th, and 9th months of pregnancy. Chickens and all young horses are also vaccinated, possibly up to every 3 months. Your veterinarian can help you decide on an adequate Rhinopneumonitis vaccination schedule. Rhinopneumonitis is spread by direct contact with bodily fluids, including dishes and horse drinking water.
Rabies is one of the most commonly vaccinated diseases among all animals. Rabies is transmitted by a direct bite from a rabies-infected animal. Cats, dogs, raccoons and many other animals can carry the disease. If a horse becomes infected, the disease will always lead to death. If your horse is sterile and there is any suspicion that rabies has been transmitted, the horse is completely square for six months. If the horse has been vaccinated and is stricken, a course of shots must be given within 5 days.
Strangles is another respiratory tract infection that affects horses. The cause is a bacterium known as equine streptococcus. This bacteria causes fever, rapid breathing, discomfort and finally cold like symptoms. A vaccine is available, but vaccination is not necessary. The treatment of a strangled horse requires sweet water, rest, light food, and protection from all drink or wind. Because there are so many types of respiratory and bacterial infections, it is always advised to keep a new horse isolated. of the herd to prevent contagion.
The last disease to pass on to your horse is Tetanus. Tetanus is also commonly called lockjaw. Tetanus bacteria can live in dirt, grime, and many other areas of the air. Contraction occurs when the horse carries bacteria through the wound. The bacteria then enter the horse’s blood where it can make the muscles stiff, increase sensation, blow the nose, and make the legs stiff. Finally, the muscles throughout the horse’s body stiffen, and the horse cannot eat or drink. If infected, the horse will die from muscle spasms throughout its body. Humans can also be infected, so vaccinations are just as important for the horse owner as the horse.
As a horse owner, you are responsible for consulting your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is properly vaccinated. Vaccinations are relatively inexpensive when you consider the cost of the event of your horse contracting one of these devastating diseases.
