Vaccination Articles

Vaccination Indications
West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines
AAEP Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses
Is Your Horse Enrolled in a Wellness Program?
Does Your Vaccine Program Need an Overhaul?
Immuniations! Protect Your Horse Against "ontagious Diseases

Vaccination Indications
by Written by: Robert Holland, DVM, Ph.D.
#he $orld is getting smaller ever% da%& Peo'le and horses travel across the countr% and
around the 'lanet at rates never seen (efore& It has o'ened u' huge o''ortunities for
com'etition) gro$th) and learning& *nfortunatel%) it has also given us increased o''ortunities to
(e e+'osed to a gro$ing num(er of diseases& Never (efore has it (een so im'ortant to connect
$ith %our veterinarian to focus on 'reventive actions for the health of %our horse& #he num(er one
$a% to do this is through an effective vaccination 'rogram& It is so eas% to forget those annual
vaccines) (ut the% can and do ,ee' horses healthier) and in some cases) alive& Who $ants to see
their horses suffer $ith a disease?
-o ho$ do %ou (egin to decide $hat vaccines to give? Get together $ith %our veterinarian& Your
vet can hel' %ou assess the ris, factors in %our area) $hen the (est time to vaccinate $ould (e)
and $hat is right for %our s'ecific animals on %our farm) ranch) or sta(le& It is not as eas% as it
sounds. $hen I $as on the tas, force for the American Association of E/uine Practitioners
0AAEP1 to develo' vaccination guidelines) one of our (iggest issues $as ho$ to account for
variations in individual circumstances& 2or e+am'le) the ideal time of %ear to vaccinate might
change due to the geogra'hic area& *sing the AAEP guidelines as a starting 'oint) tal, $ith %our
veterinarian a(out develo'ing an individual 'lan for %our horses&
Vaccinations aren3t %our onl% defense) ho$ever! Preventive management on %our farm is another
im'ortant ,e%& 4uarantine an% incoming horses a$a% from the rest of %our herd for at least t$o
$ee,s& #his should cover an% incu(ation 'eriod& #hat $a%) if %our ne$ horse is sic,) %ou don3t get
all of the others sic, as $ell& 5a,e sure to ,ee' %our $ater sources cleaned regularl%) $ash %our
hands (et$een horses) and al$a%s deal $ith a sic, horse at the end of the da% to avoid
s'reading his disease& If a horse has a res'irator% 'ro(lem) as, %our vet to s$a( his nose to get
a sam'le to test for $hat s'ecific disease is affecting %our horse& #hat $a%) the a''ro'riate
anti(iotic and treatments can (e a''lied& Discuss these and other measures $ith %our
veterinarian&
A starting 'oint in develo'ing a vaccination 'rogram for %our horses is first to determine the ris, of
infection for %our animals $ith %our local vet) $ho $ill ,no$ the diseases and ris, factors common
to %our area& Are %our horses farm6(ound) or are the% out at a ne$ sho$ ever% $ee,end? #he
'rocess of shi''ing stresses horses in and of itself& -o) if shi''ed horses are also e+'osed to
man% other animals that might (e carr%ing disease) the% might need a more aggressive
vaccination 'rogram to give them the (est 'rotection 'ossi(le in these increased ris,
circumstances&
Ho$ old are %our horses? Young horses) li,e children) tend to 'ic, u' 'assing diseases ver%
easil%) as the% are still (uilding u' their immunit% to man% diseases& And immunit% to an% disease
isn3t instant) even $ith vaccine administration& According to the AAEP guidelines) 7Protection is
not afforded to the horse immediatel% after administration of a vaccine that is designed to induce
active immunit%& In most instances) a series of multi'le doses of inactivated vaccine must (e
administered initiall% for the vaccine to induce 'rotective active immunit%&8
#he ne+t /uestion to as, is! What are the environmental ris, factors? Do %ou live in an area
$here there is a high ris, of certain diseases? If so) %ou might need to vaccinate more often for
those diseases& 2or e+am'le) someone living in 2lorida might $ant to vaccinate more often for
West Nile virus (ecause the mos/uitoes are active %ear6round& #he t%'e of $eather can also
im'act %our vaccination decisions. for e+am'le) this %ear has (een unusuall% $et through man%
'arts of the countr%& #his could 'otentiall% increase the ris, of %our horse getting a disease such
as Potomac horse fever&
'osted! 9:9:;<<=& >ast u'dated! 9:?<:;<<=&

West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines

Developed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners
This information is intended as a supplement to the AAEP's Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses
(January 2001! Practitioners are directed to consult this pu"lication as the follo#in$ discussion is
to "e read in con%unction #ith those $eneral $uidelines for &accination!
West Nile virus 0WNV1 infection $as first diagnosed in horses in the *nited -tates in @AAA and is
no$ an im'ortant consideration in the differential diagnosis of horses 'resenting $ith signs of
neurologic disease in all areas of North America& West Nile virus) a flavivirus) $as first identified
as a cause of infection and fatal ence'halom%elitis 0inflammation of the s'inal cord and (rain1 in
horses and 'eo'le in Eg%'t) *ganda and 2rance in the earl% @A9<Bs& 2urther e'iootics of
disease in horses have occurred in 5orocco in @AA9) Ital% in @AAC) 2rance in ;<<<) and the
*nited -tates from @AAA to the 'resent& West Nile virus is no$ considered to (e endemic in all
areas of North America&
#he flaviviruses) li,e the other ence'halom%elitis viruses) are transmitted (% mos/uitoes) and
infre/uentl% (% other (loodsuc,ing insects) to horses) human (eings) and a num(er of other
mammals from avian hosts) $hich serve as natural reservoirs for these viruses in nature& Horses
and humans are considered to (e dead6end hosts of the West Nile virus and) therefore) do not
contri(ute to the transmission c%cle& #he virus is not directl% contagious from horse to horse or
horse to human& -imilarl%) indirect transmission via mos/uitoes from infected horses is highl%
unli,el% (ecause horses do not e+'erience a significant viremia 0i&e& the% have negligi(le amounts
of virus circulating in their (lood1&
#he incu(ation 'eriod for West Nile virus in horses a''ears to (e ? to@= da%s& "linical signs of
WNV infection in horses ma% include fever) ata+ia 0stum(ling or incoordination1) de'ression or
a''rehension) stu'or) (ehavioral changes) $ea,ness of lim(s) 'artial 'aral%sis) droo'% li') teeth
grinding) muscle t$itching) fasciculation and tremors) difficult% rising) recum(enc% 0ina(ilit% to
rise1) convulsions) (lindness) colic) and intermittent lameness) or death& #he mortalit% rate for
horses e+hi(iting clinical signs of West Nile virus infection is a''ro+imatel% ??D& Data has
su''orted that E< D of horses that survive the acute illness caused (% WNV still e+hi(it residual
effects) such as gait and (ehavioral a(normalities that $ere attri(uted to the illness (% o$ners) 9
months 'ost diagnosis&
#he varia(le clinical signs associated $ith WNV infection necessitate inclusion of man%
neurological disorders in the differential diagnoses& #hese include! ra(ies. e/uine 'rotooal
m%eloence'halitis 0EP51. e/uine her'esvirus6@. (otulism. eastern) $estern and Veneuelan
ence'halom%elitis 0EEE)WEE)VEE1. heat stress. trauma. (acterial meningitis. cervical verte(ral
m%elo'ath% 0$o((ler s%ndrome1. m%eloence'halo'ath%. and e/uine degenerative m%elo'ath%&
-erologic tests used to diagnose WNV include 'la/ue reduction neutraliation 0PFN#1) virus
neutraliation) hemagglutination inhi(ition) com'lement fi+ation) E>I-A and antigen 0Ig5 and IgG1
ca'ture E>I-A& Virus can also (e identified in central nervous s%stem tissue using techni/ues
such as virus isolation) P"F and immunohistochemistr%& #he Ig56ca'ture E>I-A is currentl% the
most relia(le test for confirmation of recent e+'osure to West Nile Virus in a horse e+hi(iting
clinical signs& Horses e+'osed to WNV t%'icall% develo' a shar' rise in West Nile virus6s'ecific
Ig5 anti(od% that 'ersists for E69 $ee,s after infection& >ittle Ig5 is demonstrated in horses that
are recentl% vaccinated& #he anti(od% measured (% the PFN# is stimulated (oth (% vaccination
and recent e+'osure) ma,ing this test difficult to inter'ret in the sus'ect horse&
Fis, of e+'osure and geogra'hic distri(ution of West Nile virus var% from %ear to %ear $ith
changes in distri(ution of insect vectors and reservoirs of the virus& Gecause of the un'redicta(le
nature of those factors and the effects of the disease) it is recommended that all horses in North
America (e immunied against West Nile virus&
Preventive management 'ractices ma% minimie the ris, of the s'read and transmission of West
Nile virus from infected mos/uitoes& Feduction of mos/uito num(ers and e+'osure can (e
achieved (% reducing or eliminating an% stagnant or standing $ater in %our area) removing old
tires) ,ee'ing horses in the (arns from dus, to da$n 0'rime mos/uito feeding times1) setting out
mos/uito tra's) ,ee'ing air moving $ith fans) and removing organic de(ris 0muc,1 'rom'tl%&
"hemical controls include the use of to'ical anti6mos/uito re'ellent agents a''roved for the
horse and use of mos/uito dun,s in areas of standing $ater&
Vaccination is the 'rimar% method of reducing the ris, of infection from West Nile virus to the
horse (ut clinical disease is not full% 'revented& Vaccination $ith one of the commerciall%
availa(le licensed vaccines is recommended for all horses residing in those areas of North
America $here the disease occurs& Of the licensed vaccines currentl% availa(le) one is
monovalent or multivalent inactivated and the other is a live canar%'o+ vector vaccine& #hese
availa(le vaccines have (een tested $ith a challenge model and have (een 'roven to (e
effective as an aid in the 'revention of viremia in e+'erimentall% infected vaccinated horses
com'ared to nonvaccinated control horses for as long as @; months after 'rimar% vaccination
$ith t$o doses of vaccine& 2ollo$ing the la(el instructions) 'rimar% vaccination of 'reviousl% non6
vaccinated horses involves administration of ; doses of vaccine ? to 9 $ee,s a'art& In endemic
areas) (oosters are re/uired or $arranted according to local conditions conducive to disease ris,&
Vaccinate semi6annuall% or more fre/uentl% 0ever% E months1) de'ending on ris,& Annual
revaccination is (est com'leted in the s'ring) 'rior to the onset of 'ea, insect vector season&
While neither of the licensed vaccines is la(eled for administration to 'regnant mares at this time)
it is recommended that mares (e ideall% vaccinated (efore (reeding $hen 'ossi(le& Ho$ever)
'ractitioners have vaccinated thousands of 'regnant mares due to the ris, associated $ith
'regnant mares getting the disease from infected mos/uitoes& It has (een acce'ted 'ractice (%
man% veterinarians to administer vaccines to 'regnant mares on the assum'tion that the ris, of
adverse conse/uences of WNV infection out$eighs an% re'orted adverse effects of use of
vaccines in 'regnant mares& Gooster vaccination of 'regnant mares E to 9 $ee,s (efore foaling
'rovides augmented 'assive colostral 'rotection to their foals) lasting for ?6E months&
Primar% vaccination of foals from vaccinated mares should (e started at ?6E months of age in
order to avoid interference from colostral anti(odies& 2oals from non6vaccinated mares ma% (e
vaccinated earlier than three months of age as the% ma% not have colostral interference issues.
ho$ever) data on $hich to (ase more s'ecific recommendations for foals from non6vaccinated
mares is not sufficient at this time& 2oals should (e revaccinated at @ %ear of age 0in the -'ring of
the %ear follo$ing their (irth1 to ensure ade/uate 'rotection& Gecause of the high mortalit%
associated $ith West Nile virus) it is recommended that foals (orn in areas $here there is a high
ris, of e+'osure to West Nile virus should receive an initial series of three 0?1 doses of vaccine
against West Nile (eginning at ? months of age and at E6 to 96 $ee, intervals& #he third dose ma%
go at an interval of C6@< $ee,s if desired) follo$ed (% a fourth dose at @ %ear of age&
5an% veterinarians) in -outhern states $here mos/uitoes are active %ear6round) 'refer to
vaccinate horses semiannuall% or more fre/uentl% to hel' ensure uniform 'rotection throughout
the %ear) although this 'ractice is not s'ecificall% recommended (% manufacturers of vaccines&
Horses that have (een naturall% infected $ith the disease should (e vaccinated one %ear after the
acute illness& Although the a(ilit% of horses to (ecome re6infected $ith WNV is un,no$n at this
time) horses that have (een naturall% infected $ith WNV ma% (e included in a routine vaccination
'rogram as 'reviousl% descri(ed
West Nile Virus Vaccination -chedule
Foals/Weanlings Yearlings Performance
Horses
Pleasure
Horses
Broodmares Comments
First dose: 3 to 4
months.
Second dose: 1
month later (plus
3
rd
dose at 6
months in
endemic areas).
Annual
booster, prior
to expected
risk. accinate
semi!annuall"
or more
#re$uentl"
(e%er" 4
months),
dependin& on
risk.

Annual
booster, prior
to expected
risk. accinate
semi!annuall"
or more
#re$uentl"
(e%er" 4
months),
dependin& on
risk.
Annual
booster, prior
to expected
risk. accinate
semi!annuall"
or more
#re$uentl"
(e%er" 4
months),
dependin& on
risk.
Annual,
4 to 6 'eeks
prepartum (see
#ull text in
&uidelines).
Annual booster
is a#ter primar"
series. (n
endemic areas,
booster as
re$uired or
'arranted due to
local conditions
conduci%e to
disease risk.
accinate semi!
annuall" or more
#re$uentl" (e%er"
4 months),
dependin& on
risk.

'ote( As #ith the administration of all medications) the la"el and product insert should "e read
"efore the administration of all &accines!
H"o'%right AAEP ;<<=
'osted (% Fose
'osted! @:@<:;<<=& >ast u'dated! @:@@:;<<=&

AAEP Guidelines or Vaccination o Horses

#he schedule (elo$ is a suggested vaccination schedule 'rovided (% the American Association of
E/uine Practitioners) and is (ased on generall% acce'ted veterinar% 'ractices& Infectious disease
control 'rograms in conIunction $ith vaccination are im'ortant in ma+imiing the health)
'roductivit% and 'erformance of %our horse& Your veterinarian can hel' design a health
management 'rogram to reduce e+'osure to infectious disease agents in %our horseJs
environment and lessen the incidence of illness& Disease control 'rograms should (e tailored to
%our individual needs $ith consideration given to ages) t%'es) activities and num(er of horses in
%our 'rogram& !ou should consult "ith your #eterinarian re$ardin$ the s%eciic needs o
your horse.
Disease/vaccine Foals/weanlings Yearlings
Performance
Horses
Pleasure
Horses
Broodmares Comments
West Nile Virus
First dose: 3 to 4
months.
Second dose: 1 month
later (plus 3
rd
dose at 6
months in endemic
areas).
Annual
booster, prior
to expected
risk.
accinate
semi!annuall"
or more
#re$uentl"
(e%er" 4
months),
dependin& on
risk.
Annual booster,
prior to expected
risk. accinate
semi!annuall" or
more #re$uentl"
(e%er" 4 months),
dependin& on risk.
Annual
booster, prior
to expected
risk.
accinate
semi!
annuall" or
more
#re$uentl"
(e%er" 4
months),
dependin& on
risk.
Annual,
4 to 6 'eeks
prepartum (see
#ull text in
&uidelines).
Annual booster is
a#ter primar"
series. (n endemic
areas, booster as
re$uired or
'arranted due to
local conditions
conduci%e to
disease risk.
accinate semi!
annuall" or more
#re$uentl" (e%er"
4 months),
dependin& on
risk.
Tetanus toxoid
From nonvaccinated
mare: First dose: 3 to
4 months Second
dose: 4 to ) months
From vaccinated
mare: First dose: 6
months Second dose:
* months +hird dose:
, to - months
Annual Annual Annual Annual, 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum
.ooster at time o#
penetratin& in/ur"
or sur&er" i# last
dose not
administered
'ithin 6 months
Ence!alom"elitis
#EEE$ WEE$ %EE&
EEE: #in !ig!'ris(
areas& First dose: 3 to
4 months Second
dose: 4 to ) months
+hird dose: ) to 6
months
WEE$ EEE #in low'
ris( areas& and %EE:
From non%accinated
mare: First dose: 3 to
4 months Second
dose: 4 to ) months
+hird dose: ) to 6
months From
%accinated mare: First
dose: 6 months
Second dose: *
months +hird dose: ,
months
Annual,
sprin&
Annual,
sprin&
Annual, sprin&
Annual, sprin&
Annual,
sprin&
Annual,
sprin&
Annual, 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum
Annual, 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum
(n endemic areas
booster 000 and
100 e%er" 6
months2 00
onl" needed 'hen
threat o#
exposure2 00
ma" onl" be
a%ailable as a
combination
%accine 'ith 000
and 100.
)nfluen*a
)nactivated
in+ecta,le: From
non%accinated mare:
First dose: 6 months
Second dose: *
months +hird dose: ,
months +hen at 3!
month inter%als From
%accinated mare: First
dose: - months
Second dose: 13
months +hird dose: 11
to 14 months +hen at
3!month inter%als
)ntranasal modified
live virus: First dose:
11 months2 has been
sa#el" administered to
#oals less than 11
months ! see
comments
0%er" 3 to 4
months
0%er" 6
months

0%er" 3 to 4
months
0%er" 6 months
Annual 'ith
added
boosters
prior to
likel"
exposure,
0%er" 6
months
At least
semiannual, 'ith
1 booster 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum,
Annual be#ore
breedin& (see
comments)
A series o# at least
3 doses is
recommended #or
primar"
immuni5ation o#
#oals. 6ot
recommended #or
pre&nant mares
until data
a%ailable. 7se
inacti%ated
%accine #or
prepartum
booster. (# #irst
dose is
administered to
#oals less than 11
months o# a&e,
administer 4nd
dose at or a#ter 11
months o# a&e.
-!inoneumonitis
#EH%'. and EH%'
/&
First dose: 4 to 6
months
Second dose: ) to *
months
+hird dose: 6 to ,
months
+hen at 3!month
inter%als
.ooster e%er"
3 to 4 months
up to
annuall"
.ooster e%er" 3 to
4 months up to
annuall"
8ptional:
semiannual i#
elected
Fi#th, se%enth,
ninth month o#
&estation
(inacti%ated
09!1 %accine)2
optional dose at
third month o#
&estation
accination o#
mares be#ore
breedin& and 4 to
6 'eeks
prepartum is
su&&ested.
.reedin& stallions
should be
%accinated be#ore
the breedin&
season and
semiannuall"
0trangles
)n+ecta,le: First dose:
4 to 6 months Second
dose: ) to * months
+hird dose: * to ,
months (dependin& on
the product used)
Fourth dose: 14
months
)ntranasal: First dose:
6 to - months Second
dose: 3 'eeks later
Semi!annual 8ptional: semi!
annual i# risk is
hi&h
8ptional:
semi!annual
i# risk is hi&h
Semi!annual 'ith
1 dose o#
inacti%ated :!
protein %accine 4
to 6 'eeks
prepartum
accines
containin& :!
protein extract
ma" be less
reacti%e than
'hole!cell
%accines. 7se
'hen endemic
conditions exist
or risk is hi&h.
Foals as "oun& as
6 'eeks!o#!a&e
ma" sa#el"
recei%e the
intranasal
product. A third
dose should be
administered 4 to
4 'eeks prior to
'eanin&.
-a,ies
Foals born to non!
%accinated mares:
First dose: 3 to 4
months Second dose:
14 months Foals born
to %accinated mares:
Annual Annual Annual Annual, be#ore
breedin&
accination
recommended in
endemic areas.
;o not use
modi#ied!li%e!
%irus %accines in
First dose: 6 months
Second dose * months
+hird dose: 14 months
horses.
Potomac Horse
Fever
First dose: ) to 6
months Second dose:
6 to * months
Semi!annual Semi!annual Semi!annual Semi!annual 'ith
1 dose 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum
.ooster durin&
:a" to <une in
endemic areas.
Botulism
Foal #rom %accinated
mare: 3 dose series o#
toxoid at 33!da"
inter%als startin& at 4
to 3 months!o#!a&e
Foal #rom non!
%accinated mare: see
comments
"onsult %our
veterinarian
"onsult %our
veterinarian
"onsult
%our
veterinarian
(nitial 3!dose
series at 33!da"
inter%als 'ith last
dose 4 to 6 'eeks
prepartum.
Annuall"
therea#ter, 4 to 6
'eeks prepartum
8nl" in endemic
areas. A third
dose administered
4 to 6 'eeks a#ter
the second dose
ma" impro%e the
response o# #oals
to primar"
immuni5ation.
Foal #rom non!
%accinated mare
ma" bene#it #rom:
11 toxoid at 4,4
and , 'eeks!o#!
a&e2 4)
trans#usion o#
plasma #rom
%accinated horse2
or 3) antitoxin.
0##icac" needs
#urther stud".
E1uine %iral
2rteritis
(ntact colts intended to
be breedin& stallions:
8ne dose at 6 to 14
months!o#!a&e
Annual #or
colts intended
to be
breedin&
stallions
Annual #or colts
intended to be
breedin& stallions
Annual #or
colts
intended to
be breedin&
stallions
Annual #or
serone&ati%e,
open mares
be#ore breedin&
to carrier
stallions2 isolate
mares #or 41 da"s
a#ter breedin& to
carrier stallion
Annual #or
breedin& stallions
and teasers, 4,
da"s be#ore start
o# breedin&
season2 %irus ma"
be shed in semen
#or up to 41 da"s.
accinated mares
do not de%elop
clinical si&ns
e%en thou&h the"
become
transientl"
in#ected and ma"
shed %irus #or a
short time.
-otavirus 2
=ittle %alue to
%accinate #oal because
insu##icient time to
de%elop antibodies to
protect durin&
susceptible a&e
6ot
applicable
6ot applicable 6ot
applicable
accinate mares
at ,, - and 13
months o#
&estation, each
pre&nanc".
>assi%e trans#er
o# colostral
antibodies aid in
pre%ention o#
rota%iral diarrhea
in #oals.
?heck
concentrations o#
immuno&lobulins
in #oal to be
assured that there
is no #ailure o#
passi%e trans#er.
KAs $ith administration of all medications) the la(el and 'roduct insert should (e read (efore
administration of all vaccines&
-chedules for stallions should (e consistent $ith the vaccination 'rogram of the adult horse
'o'ulation on the farm and modified according to ris,&
EEELeastern e/uine ence'halom%elitis) WEEL$estern e/uine ence'halom%elitis)
VEELVeneuelan e/uine ence'halom%elitis. EHV6@Le/uine her'es virus t%'e.
,e%$ords! Vaccination &
'osted! 9:@C:;<<;& >ast u'dated! @:@?:;<<=&

Is !our Horse Enrolled in a Wellness Pro$ra&'
by Gre$ory (. )&ith, DVM

A $ellness 'rogram for %our horse $ill save %ou time) mone% and) most of all) the headache of
$orr%ing if %ouMre doing the right things at the right time& Gut $ith all the sources of horse health
care information availa(le toda%) ho$ do %ou decide $hatMs right for %our horse? Goo,s)
magaines) the internet) %our farrier) the feed store o'erator and other resources can ma,e %ou
unsure of $hat 'ractical horse care is an%more&
2ortunatel%) %ou 'ro(a(l% alread% ,no$ someone $ho has the education and e+'erience to sift
through the latest information in horse health care) coordinate $ith the other 'rofessionals
involved in the u',ee' of %our horse) and develo' a customied health 'lan Iust for %ou! %our
e/uine veterinarian&
A $ellness 'rogram for horses is not a ne$ idea) (ut ne$ ideas are $hat ma,e them so
(eneficial& #he veterinar% communit% is among the first in the industr% to learn a(out
advancements in health care as $ell as disease out(rea,s) 'roduct com'laints and other
information that ma% affect ho$ %ou care for %our horse& G% develo'ing a closer $or,ing
relationshi' $ith %our e/uine 'ractitioner) %ou ta,e advantage of this inside scoo' as the t$o of
%ou $or, together to design a com'rehensive health care 'lan for %our horse&
A $ellness 'rogram should have vaccinations) de$ormers) dentistr% and nutritional consultation
as the cornerstone 'rocedures& While that sounds sim'le and o(vious) there is much controvers%
and change in each of these (asic areas&
2or e+am'le) veterinarians not too long ago $ere recommending that even foals from vaccinated
mares (egin receiving their o$n vaccinations $ithin the first fe$ months of (irth& On6going
research has sho$n that anti(odies from the mareMs mil, for some diseases 0such as influena1
last much longer than originall% thought& #herefore) the foalMs first vaccinations can (e given much
later 0at eight or nine months of age for influena if the mare $as vaccinated1& Other research has
'roduced a ne$ vaccine com(ining influena and rhino'neumonitis $hich can (e given either
through the intramuscular or intranasal routes&
With the introduction of more effective de$ormers) it is even more critical to 'lan for 'arasite
control& Issues such as resistance) $hether to use a dail% de$ormer or a 'urge de$ormer) and
the increasing im'ortance of enc%sted small strong%les need to (e considered as %ou and %our
veterinarian select 'roducts) schedule fecal e+aminations) and set u' environmental control
measures&
Dentistr% in the horse has (een transformed in the last decade or so to a science that hel's ,ee'
%our horse in good $eight and good 'erformance& #his has (ecome es'eciall% im'ortant as
horses are living longer and longer& #he da%s of hand6floating ever% horse in the (arn on one visit
have given $a% to oral e+aminations and scheduling 'reventive and corrective dental 'rocedures
a''ro'riate for %our horseMs age and use&
Even if %our horse is at his ideal $eight for $hat %ouMre doing $ith him) thereMs still a (enefit to
sho$ing %our veterinarian $hat and ho$ %ouMre feeding %our horse& Not onl% $ill %ou have the
o''ortunit% to as, /uestions a(out nutrition and other to'ics during a tour of the feed shed and
'asture) (ut %ou ma% also end u' reducing the num(er of su''lements %ou give %our horse)
there(% reducing %our feed costs&
While all $ellness 'rograms also include a (asic 'h%sical e+amination in addition to the services
a(ove) some veterinarians include other 'rocedures and consultations $ith their 'ac,ages (ased
on the needs of the individual o$ner and horse& 5an% veterinarians $ill alert %ou to the need for a
visit or for a 'roduct to (e administered) relieving %ou of detailed record6,ee'ing& 5ost
im'ortantl%) %ou can hel' ,ee' the information high$a% from (ecoming (um'er6to6(um'er $ith
confusion (% develo'ing a 'artnershi' $ith %our local e/uine veterinarian&
Dr& Gregor% "& -mith) o$ner of East "ount% >arge Animal Practice in El "aIon) "alifornia) a
three6doctor Practice of E+cellence as a$arded (% Veterinar% Economics magaine) $ith Dr&
>%dia 2& 5iller


@1 title Is Your Horse Enrolled in a Wellness Program?
;1 author Gregor% "& -mith
?1 #itle DV5
E1 -ource 2orum
=1 Date 5arch ;<<@
91 5enu categor% Parasites Vaccination Veterinarian6"lient Felations
'osted! 9:@C:;<<;& >ast u'dated! ?:;=:;<<?&

Is !our Horse Enrolled in a Wellness Pro$ra&'
by Gre$ory (. )&ith, DVM

A $ellness 'rogram for %our horse $ill save %ou time) mone% and) most of all) the headache of
$orr%ing if %ouMre doing the right things at the right time& Gut $ith all the sources of horse health
care information availa(le toda%) ho$ do %ou decide $hatMs right for %our horse? Goo,s)
magaines) the internet) %our farrier) the feed store o'erator and other resources can ma,e %ou
unsure of $hat 'ractical horse care is an%more&
2ortunatel%) %ou 'ro(a(l% alread% ,no$ someone $ho has the education and e+'erience to sift
through the latest information in horse health care) coordinate $ith the other 'rofessionals
involved in the u',ee' of %our horse) and develo' a customied health 'lan Iust for %ou! %our
e/uine veterinarian&
A $ellness 'rogram for horses is not a ne$ idea) (ut ne$ ideas are $hat ma,e them so
(eneficial& #he veterinar% communit% is among the first in the industr% to learn a(out
advancements in health care as $ell as disease out(rea,s) 'roduct com'laints and other
information that ma% affect ho$ %ou care for %our horse& G% develo'ing a closer $or,ing
relationshi' $ith %our e/uine 'ractitioner) %ou ta,e advantage of this inside scoo' as the t$o of
%ou $or, together to design a com'rehensive health care 'lan for %our horse&
A $ellness 'rogram should have vaccinations) de$ormers) dentistr% and nutritional consultation
as the cornerstone 'rocedures& While that sounds sim'le and o(vious) there is much controvers%
and change in each of these (asic areas&
2or e+am'le) veterinarians not too long ago $ere recommending that even foals from vaccinated
mares (egin receiving their o$n vaccinations $ithin the first fe$ months of (irth& On6going
research has sho$n that anti(odies from the mareMs mil, for some diseases 0such as influena1
last much longer than originall% thought& #herefore) the foalMs first vaccinations can (e given much
later 0at eight or nine months of age for influena if the mare $as vaccinated1& Other research has
'roduced a ne$ vaccine com(ining influena and rhino'neumonitis $hich can (e given either
through the intramuscular or intranasal routes&
With the introduction of more effective de$ormers) it is even more critical to 'lan for 'arasite
control& Issues such as resistance) $hether to use a dail% de$ormer or a 'urge de$ormer) and
the increasing im'ortance of enc%sted small strong%les need to (e considered as %ou and %our
veterinarian select 'roducts) schedule fecal e+aminations) and set u' environmental control
measures&
Dentistr% in the horse has (een transformed in the last decade or so to a science that hel's ,ee'
%our horse in good $eight and good 'erformance& #his has (ecome es'eciall% im'ortant as
horses are living longer and longer& #he da%s of hand6floating ever% horse in the (arn on one visit
have given $a% to oral e+aminations and scheduling 'reventive and corrective dental 'rocedures
a''ro'riate for %our horseMs age and use&
Even if %our horse is at his ideal $eight for $hat %ouMre doing $ith him) thereMs still a (enefit to
sho$ing %our veterinarian $hat and ho$ %ouMre feeding %our horse& Not onl% $ill %ou have the
o''ortunit% to as, /uestions a(out nutrition and other to'ics during a tour of the feed shed and
'asture) (ut %ou ma% also end u' reducing the num(er of su''lements %ou give %our horse)
there(% reducing %our feed costs&
While all $ellness 'rograms also include a (asic 'h%sical e+amination in addition to the services
a(ove) some veterinarians include other 'rocedures and consultations $ith their 'ac,ages (ased
on the needs of the individual o$ner and horse& 5an% veterinarians $ill alert %ou to the need for a
visit or for a 'roduct to (e administered) relieving %ou of detailed record6,ee'ing& 5ost
im'ortantl%) %ou can hel' ,ee' the information high$a% from (ecoming (um'er6to6(um'er $ith
confusion (% develo'ing a 'artnershi' $ith %our local e/uine veterinarian&
Dr& Gregor% "& -mith) o$ner of East "ount% >arge Animal Practice in El "aIon) "alifornia) a
three6doctor Practice of E+cellence as a$arded (% Veterinar% Economics magaine) $ith Dr&
>%dia 2& 5iller


@1 title Is Your Horse Enrolled in a Wellness Program?
;1 author Gregor% "& -mith
?1 #itle DV5
E1 -ource 2orum
=1 Date 5arch ;<<@
91 5enu categor% Parasites Vaccination Veterinarian6"lient Felations
'osted! 9:@C:;<<;& >ast u'dated! ?:;=:;<<?&

Does !our Vaccine Pro$ra& Need an *#erhaul'
by H. )te#e (onboy, DVM

Ho$ $ould %ou li,e to s'end less mone%) %et do a (etter Io( of 'rotecting %our horse against
disease? Ongoing research suggests that traditional vaccination schedules might not (e
'rotecting our foals ade/uatel%& #here is even controvers% over the 'ossi(ilit% that the current
'rotocol of vaccinating foals earl% and too often could ,ee' them from reaching their full 'otential
to resist disease later as adults& Wh% canMt e+'erts Iust determine the (est time to (egin a foalMs
initial immuniation series and $rite eas%6to6follo$ guidelines for ever%one?
2irst of all) la(orator% methods in immunolog% can onl% measure anti(od% levels) not ho$
'rotective those levels are& -econd) it ta,es a great deal of time to test vaccine efficac% on real
animals& #hird) certain diseases are more common in certain geogra'hic areas) ma,ing
vaccination recommendations some$hat different for horses in various 'arts of the countr%&
What research at several universities is telling us no$ is that maternal anti(odies in the foal
0those o(tained from the mare via the colostrum1 might last longer than 'reviousl% thought&
Veterinarians have ,no$n for %ears that foals $ill not 'roduce their o$n active anti(odies
follo$ing a vaccination if there are still anti(odies from the mare 'resent in their s%stems& "urrent
studies have demonstrated the 'resence of maternal anti(odies in foals as old as nine months)
$hereas (efore the% $ere thought to diminish at three or four months of age& #herefore) vaccines
administered (efore nine months might not stimulate an immune res'onse in the foal&
A revie$ of (asic immunolog% is hel'ful for understanding this dilemma& 5an% farm animals)
including the horse) receive no anti(odies from the mother $hile in the uterus& Youngsters must
ac/uire anti(odies from the mareMs first mil, 0colostrum1& #he /ualit% and /uantit% of these
maternal anti(odies de'end on the mareMs immune status and the a(ilit% of the foal to a(sor( the
anti(odies& A mare $hich has (een vaccinated for the a''ro'riate diseases ?< da%s (efore
foaling $ill 'rovide more 'rotection to her foal than a mare $hich $as not 'ro'erl% (oostered&
>i,e$ise) health% foals $hich nurse $ithin the first ;E hours of life $ill (e (etter 'rotected from
disease than foals $hich fail to nurse or have 'oor anti(od% a(sor'tion (ecause of illness&
#esting the one6 to t$o6da%6old foal for anti(od% a(sor'tion and su''orting those $hose anti(od%
levels are deficient $ith either colostrum or 'lasma 0de'ending on the foalMs age1 is 'rudent&
While these maternal anti(odies are im'ortant in 'rotecting foals from disease in the short term)
the% interfere $ith or dela% our a(ilit% to 'rotect foals from disease in the long term& Vaccines 0as
$ell as actual diseases1 'ossess antigens) the su(stances that stimulate the (od%Ms immune
s%stem to 'roduce its o$n anti(odies& 5aternal anti(odies treat vaccine antigens li,e the real
disease) Nscoo'ing them u'N (efore the% have a chance to stimulate the foalMs immune s%stem&
#he 'ro(lem is ,no$ing $hen the level of maternal anti(odies in the foal is lo$ enough to allo$
vaccines to (e effective $ithout (eing so lo$ that the foal is un'rotected from disease&
*nfortunatel%) even $hen no maternal anti(odies can (e detected in a foal) some mechanism or
com'onent of the maternal anti(odies still remains) $hich interferes $ith the foalMs res'onse to
vaccination&
"urrent research recommends dela%ing foal vaccinations until it is (elieved maternal anti(odies
are greatl% diminished& Fesearchers suggest o$ners (egin vaccinating foals against influena no
earlier than nine months of age if using the modified live 'roduct) and $aiting until @< to @;
months of age if using ,illed 'roducts& Although studies on ence'halitis vaccinations are less
conclusive) earl% re'orts recommend $aiting until foals are seven to nine months of age (efore
(eginning the initial series&
Fecent findings indicate that foals of 'ro'erl% immunied mares also fail to res'ond to tetanus)
ra(ies) and (otulism vaccines $hen given (efore nine months of age&
It is im'ortant to remem(er that vaccine research recentl% has (ecome a to' 'riorit% at several
universities) and recommendations might change /uic,l%& #hat is $h% %our local veterinarian is an
invalua(le source of information and advice regarding %our s'ecific vaccination and other
'reventive health care 'rograms& #a,e a fe$ minutes at the (eginning of each %ear to sit do$n
$ith %our veterinarian and revise %our vaccine schedule& #he time %ou s'end might save %our
$allet) and %our horseMs health&
H! *te&e +on"oy) ,V-) a 1./0 $raduate of the 0ni&ersity of Geor$ia +olle$e of Veterinary
-edicine) has "een an acti&e AAEP mem"er since 1./2! A pri&ate practitioner in 1e2in$ton) 3y!)
he has assisted in &accine research at the 0ni&ersity of 3entuc4y and has studied foals' response
to influen5a and stran$les &accines for many years!
A&erican Association o E+uine Practitioners
,-./ Iron Wor0s Pi0e
1e2in$ton, 3! ,-/44
56-67 899:-4,.
""".aae%.or$
'osted! 9:@C:;<<;& >ast u'dated! 9:@C:;<<;&

I&&uni;ations: Protect !our Horse A$ainst (onta$ious
Diseases


Few things will protect your horse from the ravages of disease as easily and
effectively as immunizations. The vaccinations administered by your veterinarian to
your horse place a protective barrier between the animal and a whole list of
problems: tetanus, encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness), influenza,
rhinopneumonitis, rabies, strangles, est !ile virus and "otomac #orse Fever, to
name the most common.
$accinations are a vital part of proper e%uine management. &f incorporated into a
program that includes regular deworming, an ample supply of clean water, a good
nutrition program and a safe environment, you and your horse will be all set to en'oy
many happy, healthy, productive years together.
WH2T T3 E4PECT
( good immunization program is essential to responsible horse ownership, but 'ust
as in humans, vaccination does not guarantee )**+ protection. &n some situations,
immunization may decrease the severity of disease but not prevent it completely.
This is due to many complicated scientific reasons, such as differences in the
virulence or severity of some diseases (such as influenza).
$accination involves the in'ection (with a sterile syringe and needle) of bacteria or
viruses that are inactivated or modified to avoid causing actual disease in the horse.
,ecently intranasal vaccinations have been developed for immunization against
influenza and strangles. Two or more doses are usually needed to initiate an
ade%uate immune response.
-nce the immunization procedure is completed, the protective antibodies in the
blood stand guard against the invasion of specific diseases. -ver time, however,
these antibodies gradually decline. Therefore, a booster shot is needed at regular
intervals. "rotection against some diseases such as tetanus and rabies can be
accomplished by boostering once a year. -thers re%uire more fre%uent intervals to
provide ade%uate protection.
%2CC)52T)350 5EEDED
The specific immunizations needed by a particular horse or horses depend upon
several factors: environment, age, use, e.posure risk, value, geographic location and
general management. /our local e%uine veterinary practitioner can help you
determine the vaccination program best suited to your horse0s individual needs.
The following diseases are those most often vaccinated against. (gain, your local
practitioner will know what is best for your horse.
TETANUS. 1ometimes called 2lock'aw,2 tetanus is caused by to.in3producing
bacteria present in the intestinal tract of many animals and found in abundance in
the soil where horses live. &ts spores can e.ist for years. The spores enter the body
through wounds, lacerations or the umbilicus of newborn foals. Therefore, although
not contagious from horse to horse, tetanus poses a constant threat to horses and
humans alike.
1ymptoms include muscle stiffness and rigidity, flared nostrils, hypersensitivity and
the legs stiffly held in a sawhorse stance. (s the disease progresses, muscles in the
'aw and face stiffen, preventing the animal from eating or drinking. 4ore than 5*+
of affected horses die.
(ll horses should be immunized annually against tetanus. (dditional boosters for
mares and foals may be recommended by your veterinarian. (vailable vaccines are
ine.pensive, safe and provide good protection.
ENCEPHALOMYELITIS. 4ore commonly known as 2sleeping sickness,2 this disease
is caused by the estern 6%uine 6ncephalomyelitis (66) virus or the 6astern
version (666). 66 has been noted throughout !orth (merica, while 666 appears
only in the east and southeast. $66, the $enezuelan variety, has not been seen in
the 7nited 1tates for many years (however, a recent outbreak of $66 occurred in
4e.ico). 1leeping sickness is most often transmitted by mos%uitoes, after the insects
have ac%uired the virus from birds and rodents. #umans also are susceptible when
bitten by an infected mos%uito, but direct horse3to3horse or horse3to3human
transmission is very rare.
1ymptoms vary widely, but all result from the degeneration of the brain. 6arly signs
include fever, depression and appetite loss. 8ater, a horse might stagger when it
walks, and paralysis develops in later stages. (bout 9*3:*+ of horses infected with
66 die, and the death rate is ;:3)**+ of animals infected with 666. The mortality
rate for $66 is <*35*+.
(ll horses need an 666 and 66 vaccine at least annually. "regnant mares and foals
may re%uire additional vaccinations. The best time to vaccinate is one month before
mos%uitoes become active. &n the 1outh and est it is necessary to administer a
booster shot every < months to ensure e.tra protection all year3round.
INFLUENZA. This is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the horse.
#ighly contagious, the virus can be transmitted by aerosol from horse to horse over
distances as far as =* yards (for e.ample, by snorting or coughing).
1igns to watch for are similar to those in a human with a cold (i.e. dry cough, nasal
discharge, fever, depression and loss of appetite). ith proper care, most horses
recover in about )* days. 1ome, however, may show symptoms for weeks, especially
if put back to work too soon. &nfluenza is not only e.pensive to treat, but results in a
lot of 2down time2 and indirect financial loss, not to mention discomfort to your
horse.
7nfortunately, influenza viruses constantly change in an effort to bypass the horse0s
immune defense. Therefore, duration of protection is short3lived and revaccination is
recommended every = to > months depending on the vaccine administered.
!ot all horses need influenza vaccination. #owever, animals that travel or are
e.posed to other horses should be regularly immunized against influenza. Follow
your veterinarian0s advice as to whether your horse needs an influenza vaccine.
RHINOPNEUMONITIS. Two distinct viruses, e%uine herpesvirus type ) (6#$3)) and
e%uine herpesvirus type < (6#$3<), cause two different diseases, both of which are
known as rhinopneumonitis. ?oth cause respiratory tract problems, and 6#$3) may
also cause abortion, foal death and paralysis. &nfected horses may be feverish and
lethargic as well as lose appetite and e.perience nasal discharge and a cough. /oung
horses suffer most from respiratory tract infections and may develop pneumonia
secondary to 6#$3).
,hinopneumonitis is spread by aerosol and by direct contact with secretions, utensils
or drinking water. The virus may be present but inapparent in carrier animals.
(ll pregnant mares must be immunized. Foals, weanlings, yearlings and young
horses under stress also should be vaccinated. &mmune protection is short.
Therefore, pregnant mares are vaccinated at a minimum during the :th, ;th and @th
months of gestation, and youngsters at high risk need a booster at least every three
to four months.
OTHER DISEASE THREATS. 1everal other diseases are common, although the need
for vaccination against them is a highly individual one. ,ely on your veterinarian to
guide you.
3t!er diseases include:
Strangles. ( highly contagious and rarely fatal disease. There may be some side
effects associated with vaccinationA therefore, it is important to discuss the risks
versus benefits of vaccination with your veterinarian.
Rabies. ( frightening disease, which is more common in some areas than others.
#orses are infected infre%uently, but death always occurs. ,abies can be transmitted
from horses to humans.
Bt!lis". Bnown as 2shaker foal syndrome2 in young horses, this disease can be
serious. ?otulism in adult horses, 2forage poisoning,2 also can be fatal. $accines are
not available for all types of botulism, but pregnant mares can be vaccinated in
endemic areas.
E#!ine $iral arteritis %E&A'. ( complicated disease, which can result in some
breeding restrictions and e.port problems. Follow your veterinarian0s
recommendations.
Pt"a( Hrse Fe$er. ( seasonal problem with geographic factors. The mortality
rate varies from : to =*+. Contact your veterinarian.
)est Nile $ir!s %)N&'. ( neurological disease that affects horses throughout the
continental 7nited 1tates and is transmitted through the bite of an infected
mos%uito. 1tates with more persistent mos%uito populations may re%uire more
aggressive vaccinations along with aggressive mos%uito control techni%ues. Follow
your veterinarianDs recommendations.
)5 2 56T0HE77
For primary immunization, an initial vaccination is re%uired, followed by a repeat
dose in =3> weeks. The following is a handy reference guide for scheduling your
horse0s immunizations:
Tetan!s. (ll horses. Tetan!s antit*inA Foals from nn$a((inate+
"ares should receive a dose of tetanus antito.in soon after birth. This
induces immediate passive protection that usually lasts 9 to = wks.
Therefore, another dose of tetanus antito.in may be indicated on rare
occasions where a foal has a penetrating in'ury or surgery prior to starting the
tetanus to.oid series and E = wks after receiving the initial tetanus
antito.in. &t may be worth noting that a small but significant number of
horses e.perience serum sickness and fatal hepatic failure (serum hepatitis)
several weeks following vaccination with tetanus antito.in. Therefore, tetanus
antito.in should not be given without discretion. "roviding there has been
ade%uate passive transfer of antibodies via the colostrum, foals born to
vaccinated mares should have ade%uate levels of tetanus antibody and should
not need tetanus antito.in. Tetan!s T*i+A Foals from nn$a((inate+
"ares: First dose at = 3 < months, second dose at < 3 : months, third dose
at : 3 > months. Foals from $a((inate+ "ares: First dose at > months,
second dose at ; months, third dose at 5 3 @ months.
En(e,-al".elitis. (ll horses. Foals from nn$a((inate+ "ares/ First
dose: = to < months. 1econd dose: < to : months. Third dose: : to > months.
Foals from $a((inate+ "ares/ First dose: > months. 1econd dose: ;
months. Third dose: 5 months. (nnually in spring thereafter and every <3>
months in endemic areas. ?rood mares at <3> weeks before foaling.
In0l!en1a. 4ost horses. Ina(ti$ate+ in2e(table/ Foals from
nn$a((inate+ "are/ First dose: > months. 1econd dose: ; months. Third
dose: 5 months, then at =3month intervals. Foals from $a((inate+ "are/
First dose: @ months. 1econd dose: )* months. Third dose: )) to )9 months,
then every = months. ?roodmares: biannually, plus booster <3> weeks pre3
foaling. Consult with your veterinarian regarding the vaccine schedule for the
intranasal modified live version.
R-in,ne!"nitis. Foals first dose: < to > months. 1econd dose: : to ;
months. Third dose: > to 5 months, then at =3month intervals and younger
horses in training. ,epeat at = to < month intervals. (ll broodmares: at least
during :th, ;th, and @th months of gestation.
Rabies. (ll horses. Foals born to nn3$a((inate+ "ares/ First dose: =
to < months. 1econd dose: )9 months. Foals born to $a((inate+ "ares/
First dose: > months. 1econd dose ; months. Third dose: )9 months.
(nnually thereafter.
Strangles. Foals: In2e(table/ First dose: < to > months. 1econd dose: :
to ; months. Third dose: ; to 5 months (depending on the product used).
Fourth dose: )9 months. Intranasal/ First dose: > to @ months. 1econd
dose: = weeks later. ?iannually for high3risk horses. ?roodmares: biannually
with one dose <3> weeks pre3foaling.
Pt"a( Hrse Fe$er. Foals first dose: : to > months. 1econd dose: >
to ; months. 1emiannual for older horses. ?roodmares: semiannually with
one dose at <3> weeks pre3foaling. Consult with your veterinarian if you are in
an endemic area.
)est Nile $ir!s %)N&'. (ll #orses. Foals first dose: = to < months.
1econd dose: ) month later (plus =
rd
dose at > months in endemic areas).
?roodmares: < to > weeks prepartum. (nnually thereafter prior to e.pected
risk. &n endemic areas vaccinate 93= times a year depending on risk.
4any combination vaccinations are available. "lease check with your local e%uine
practitioner.
(ppropriate vaccinations are the best and most cost3effective weapon you have
against common infectious diseases of the horse. ( program designed with the help
and advice of your local veterinarian will keep your horses 33 and you 33 happy and
healthy for many years to come.
For more information, contact your veterinarian.

(merican (ssociation of 6%uine "ractitioners (((6")
<*;: &ron orks "arkway
8e.ington, B/ <*:))


'osted! 9:@C:;<<;& >ast u'dated! 9:;C:;<<=&