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VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are used as a method of protecting your horse from common diseases.

Horses and ponies in the UK are routinely vaccinated against equine influenza, tetanus and equine herpes viruses 1 and 4.

Vaccination requires an initial course followed by booster doses, the time between these doses depends on the vaccine and disease.

The following is only a basic guide and detailed information about the diseases or advice should be obtained from a vet.

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection associated with coughing and a fever. This infection spreads rapidly between unvaccinated horses and, although not usually life threatening, can lead to affected animals being rested for several weeks.

Foals can begin their vaccinations when they are six months of age.

Equine influenza vaccination time schedule see table below.

Horses competing under FEI rules require boosters every 6 months.

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that these dates are adhered to. If any of the vaccinations are late the horse will have to re-start the vaccination course to be up to date.

Tetanus infection occurs when toxins from the bacteria, clostridium tetani, in the soil enters the animal via a wound, especially involving the foot. Tetanus infection is often fatal and is characterised by muscle stiffness, hyper-responsiveness to noise or touch and third eyelid prolapse.

The initial course is two vaccinations with the second vaccination 4-6 weeks after the first. Thereafter a booster every two years is required.

Brood mares should have a booster 4-6 weeks before foaling to provide the foal with some protection from birth. Foals can start their own vaccination course from five months of age.

Tetanus and influenza vaccinations are often given at the same time as most manufacturers produce a combination product. Horses will alternate each year between influenza vaccination on its own and the combination vaccine, enabling yearly flu boosters and every other year tetanus vaccination.

Equine herpes virus (EHV) can cause abortion, respiratory disease and occasionally neurological disease. Vaccination can guard against abortion and respiratory infection, however, cannot prevent neurological disease.

Brood mares should receive a vaccination during the 5^th, 7^th, and 9^th months of pregnancy to help prevent abortion caused by herpes virus.

To protect against respiratory disease horses receive two doses 4-6 weeks apart followed by a booster every 6 months. Vaccination can commence from 5 months of age.

Equine rotavirus causes diarrhoea in foals, particularly where lots of foals are kept together such as large studs.

Brood mares can receive a vaccination during the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th months of pregnancy to prevent infection foals. This boosts the amount of antibodies to rotavirus that the mare produces in her milk. Whether this vaccination is necessary for your mare should be discussed with one of the veterinary surgeons at Chine House Veterinary Hospital.

Equine influenza vaccination time schedule:

1^st Vaccination

From 6 months of age

2^nd Vaccination

21-92 days after first injection

3^rd Vaccination

150-215 days after second injection

Yearly Booster

Less than 365 days after last injection