spring vaccines
A common question I get is what are the core vaccines for horses in Northern Arizona?
The main vaccines for horses and what I recommend is a 5-way vaccine once a year. Recommended vaccines would be the flu/rhino vaccine and is done twice a year.
The 5-way vaccine (EWT,Rabies and West Nile) includes protection against these fatal diseases: Eastern and Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, Rabies and West Nile.
Eastern and Western Encephalitis is a neurological disease spread by mosquitoes.
Tetanus is a bacterial disease that horses can get from cuts, rusty metal or nails and causes severe muscle spasms
Rabies is a viral infection spread through bites from wildlife such as bats, foxes and is endemic in our skunk and racoon population here in Flagstaff, Az.
West Nile is another viral disease that causes fatal neurological signs. It is also prevalent in Flagstaff and I have had to euthanize a horse due to this disease.
The Flu and Rhino vaccine are recommended twice a year to prevent contagious upper respiratory infections that are spread from horse to horse.
Equine Influenza (Flu) is a viral infection that causes fever, nasal discharge or conjunctivitis. It is not contagious to people but people can transmit this to other horses by way of their hands, clothing or equipment like bits or buckets.
Rhinopneumonitis (Rhino) is caused by Equine Herpes Virus/EHV. Signs include nasal discharge, cough, poor appetite, lymph node or throat inflammation. I recommend that horses be vaccinated for EHV-1 and EHV-4. Southern California is currently having an outbreak of EHV-1 that can also cause potentially life threatening neurological signs and abortions in horses.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice:
Nasal or Ocular Discharge
Coughing
Fever
Off feed or decreased appetite
Call immediately if you notice ataxia, circling, wobbly gait, unable to stand, hind end weakness or muscle tremors.
Your veterinarian may recommend blood work or further diagnostics.
