Vaccinations Q & A
MOST COMMON VACCINATION AND DEWORMING QUESTIONS:
What vaccines does my horse REALLY need?
Our goal is to provide your horse with the best protection but with the least amount of risk (vaccine reaction). This generally equates to best coverage with the fewest number of injections per year. The ‘Core’ vaccines program recommended by Capitol Equine is includes: Tetanus, Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, (EEE/WEE), West Nile, and Rabies. Additional vaccines that may be recommended based on your horses’ exposure include: Influenza (Flu), Herpes (Rhino), and Streptococcus (Strangles).
Are certain vaccines better than others?
The simple answer to this question is yes. However, it is typically not the brand but rather the vaccine technology that tends to have the greatest influence on vaccine efficacy. There are several different types of vaccines including: live whole virus, killed whole virus, subunit purified or recombinant antigen, recombinant virus, anti-idiotype antibodies, and DNA vaccines.
My horse is needle shy; can I give all her/her vaccines in a combination shot like a 5-way?
This has a two-part answer. First, we understand and sympathize with the needle shy horse. One of Dr. Bartholomew’s most loved horses, was the poster-child for needle shy (needle aggressive might even be a better term). There are several simple tricks the doctor and you can work on to make the experience less stressful on everyone.
Secondly, as for the ‘combination’ vaccines, in general more in one is not better. This relates back to the topic of vaccine technology (see question and answer above). Certain vaccines obtain a better response via a certain route. Influenza for example is far more effective AND less reactive when given Intranasally verses Intramuscularly therefore the 4 and 5 way vaccines that include (WEE/EEE/Tetanus/Flu/ Herpes) are often reasonably effective in their coverage of eastern western encephalitis, and tetanus, however, they are lacking when compared to far superior influenza and/or herpes vaccines. Our goal at Capitol equine to is find an effective combination of vaccines that require minimal number of injections.
How often should I worm my horse?
A regular de-worming program is essential to your horses’ health. Your horses living conditions (stall, paddock, or pasture) greatly influence a parasites life cycle. In general a horse should be wormed approximately every 8 weeks. The type (based on ‘active ingredient) should be rotated. The frequency of worming can be increased or decreased depending on fecal results and or their environment.