Vaccination
Vaccinations play an essential part in protecting individual animals from disease and reducing disease transmission between animals. The vaccines that we administer most commonly are listed below.
Tetanus
Tetanus is not transmitted between horses but is instead caused by spores of the Clostridium tetani bacteria. These spores are found in soil and can enter the horse either through ingestion or through wounds. Unfortunately, tetanus is fatal in the majority of cases. We therefore recommend that ALL horses, regardless of their age or exposure to other horses are vaccinated against tetanus.
Influenza (flu)
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection spread between horses. Aerosolised respiratory secretions can carry over relatively large distances, meaning flu can spread easily. Unlike tetanus, most healthy adult horses will recover from infection, but the illness is unpleasant for individuals and the potential for outbreaks can be economically catastrophic for equestrian sport. As a result, vaccination against equine influenza is a requirement for competing horses. The primary course consists of 3 vaccines:
Vaccine 1 given from 6 months of age
Vaccine 2 given 21-60 days after vaccine 1
Vaccine 3 given 120-180 days after vaccine 2
The horse is usually eligible to compete 7 days after the 2nd vaccine. After the 3rd vaccine boosters are required from 6-12 months depending on the discipline in which the horse competes. The rules can change at short notice, so it is advisable to check the current requirements of the relevant governing body in good time prior to competing.
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is another viral infection that is spread via the respiratory route. The virus manifests in three main forms:
- Respiratory disease (temperature, cough, nasal discharge)
- Neurological disease (wobbliness, weakness, recumbency, paralysis). Unfortunately this form is frequently fatal
- Abortion in pregnant mares
There is a vaccine effective at reducing the severity of clinical signs and reducing transmission between horses. The primary course comprises 2 vaccines given 4-6 weeks apart with boosters every 6 months. In pregnant mares, the vaccine is given at months 5, 7 and 9 of pregnancy. EHV vaccination is not currently required by most competition governing bodies, however given the potential severity of clinical signs and infectious nature it is recommended in competing horses.
Strangles
Strangles is another respiratory disease, this time caused by the bacterium Streptococcus Equi Equi. Infected horses usually present with a temperature, coughing and the formation of abscesses in the lymph nodes around the throat. The severity of clinical signs can vary considerably, though. In rare cases, abscesses can form in other locations leading to serious clinical disease (known as ‘bastard strangles’). In addition, horses can develop an immune mediated vascultitis (purpura haemorrhagica) as a complication of Strangles infection.
Unlike influenza, Strangles doesn’t usually spread far as an aerosol. It is very infectious, though, when horses are in close contact. The bacteria can be spread through direct contact or indirectly through shared buckets, water troughs and on people. A proportion of infected horses will appear to recover but will continue to harbour the bacteria in their throat, specifically in the guttural pouches. These horses don’t show any clinical signs of infection but can infect other horses.
Given the possibility of inadvertant contact with infectious horses, vaccination is recommended. There is a relatively new Strangles vaccine available which, like the tetanus, flu and EHV vaccines, is given as an injection into the muscle. The primary course consists of two vaccinations given four weeks apart, with boosters every 2-12 months thereafter depending on the risk of infection. For most healthy adult horses kept in a stable population with good biosecurity procedures annual booster vaccination is likely to be sufficient.
Other vaccines
We are also able to administer vaccines against Rotavirus, West Nile Virus and Equine Viral Arteritis in specific cases. If you have any questions regarding vaccination, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.