vaccine | Horse Racing Free Tips

Should A Horse With An Unknown History Be Vaccinated?

If a horse is bought at a sale or an auction and his vaccination history is unknown, what is the best approach for administering routine shots? Should he be given boosters, assuming he has been vaccinated previously? Or should he be given shots as if he has no vaccination history at all? Do titers need to be pulled to see what, if any, diseases he is immune to? These are all important questions that can greatly affect a horse's health and safety.

It's best to treat a horse with no vaccination history as if he has never received any vaccines, administering both shots and their routine boosters, reports EQUUS magazine. Administering additional doses of most vaccines is not harmful, with one exception: The strangles vaccine.

In rare instances, horses that have had strangles before, or those that have been repeatedly vaccinated for strangles, may develop a potentially serious complication if administered the vaccine again: purpura hemorrhagica. This abnormal reaction is when the blood vessels of the head, legs and abdomen swell.

Owners of horses with unknown vaccination history would be wise to draw a titer to see if the horse has antibodies to the organism that causes strangles before administering the vaccine.

Two Horses Infected With Piegeon Fever In Washington State

Two horses have tested positive for pigeon fever in Clark County, WA. Both horses are housed at the same farm. Equids, cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo and camelids can contract West Nile, as can people in rare instances. The disease can be highly contagious if it is not managed properly; there is no licensed vaccine available.

Pigeon fever is caused by a bacteria that can persist in soil for months; in horses it is primarily spread from through open wounds or by flies. Pigeon fever most commonly presents as external abscesses on the chest or abdomen, though internal abscesses can also occur. This disease is typically present in hot, dry Western climates, but has spread to states such as Florida and Kentucky.

Read more at the Equine Disease Communication Center.

Reade the AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines here.

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Zoetis Donates Vaccines To Partners Of The ASPCA’s Right Horse Initiative

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that Zoetis has generously donated 1,500 vaccines to its Right Horse Initiative adoption partners and the horses in their care. In addition, Zoetis will extend additional savings on critical deworming products to new foster caregivers and adopters of equines from these organizations.

“Zoetis' ongoing partnership clearly illustrates how the equine industry is committed to supporting equine adoption and helping horses in transition,” said Dr. Emily Weiss, vice president of Equine Welfare for the ASPCA. “We are grateful to Zoetis for their generous donation as it will assist equine organizations in their efforts to save more horses' lives.”

The ASPCA Right Horse Initiative adoption partners care for equines of varying breeds, ages and backgrounds as they transition from one home or career to the next. All horses face ongoing exposure to the five core diseases – rabies, tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis – which are all potentially fatal diseases. All horses whom have been adopted through Right Horse Initiative partners will be vaccinated by a veterinarian with Core EQ Innovator, which helps to protect horses against all core diseases in one injection.

“As a proud member of the equine industry, Zoetis has an unwavering responsibility to help improve the wellbeing of every horse,” said Nathan Voris, DVM, MBA, associate director, Equine Technical Services with Zoetis. “When adopting a horse there are many things to consider, but one health requirement, no matter where you live, is annual vaccination against the potentially fatal core equine diseases. This is why we are proud to provide core disease vaccinations for horses who will find adoptive or foster homes this year.”

The Right Horse Initiative hosts a collective of industry professionals, including Zoetis, as well as equine welfare organizations and advocates working together to reframe the conversation around equine adoption and improve the lives of horses in transition through a dialogue of kindness and respect. In collaboration with over 70 industry and adoption partners, the Initiative has launched innovative programming focused on shattering the stigma surrounding horses in transition.

To foster or adopt an equine, please visit MyRightHorse.org and access tools here to advocate for horses in need of homes. For more information about the ASPCA's efforts to help horses, please visit aspca.org.

Two EEE Cases In Florida Euthanized

On July 27, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was confirmed both Santa Rosa and Bradford Counties in Florida. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported on July 20 that an 8-year-old pony mare in Santa Rosa presented with incoordination, hind-end weakness and the inability to stand. The mare was euthanized. There was no EEE vaccination history

The horse with EEE in Bradford County was a 7-year-old pony gelding that began exhibiting signs on July 18. He was also unable to stand and uncoordinated. The gelding was also euthanized; he was undervaccinated.

These two horses are the 13th and 14th case of EEE in Florida in 2020.

EEE is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects the central nervous system of horses. Horses with EEE can have a fever, be depressed, have no interest in food or show difficulty swallowing. Additionally, the horse may have behavior changes like aggression or drowsiness, or walk circles, press his head or become blind.

Fatality rates for EEE are between 75 and 80 percent, with death occurring two to three days after clinical signs come on. Horses that survive may have residual impairment.

EEE vaccinations are available and significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, horse owners and caretakers should reduce mosquito populations as much as possible by removing standing water and applying insect repellent to equines.

For more information about EEE, visit AAEP.

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