April (was) dubbed Vaccination Education Month by Story & photo by Jackie Bellamy-Zions, Equine Guelph
Just one horse with an infectious disease diagnosis can close a stable or event facility. Vaccination is the best way to lower risk of loss of use, high treatment costs and unnecessary suffering for the horse.
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recommendations for each stage of life of your horse. ailoring your annual immunization plan to each equid in your care is the best way to practice Exposure prevention from spreading disease. With spring Horses that are fed hay silage or haylage are vaccination season here, the Vaccination Equi-Planner usually vaccinated for botulism due to the possibility of (TheHorsePortal.ca/VaccinationTool) is Equine Guelph’s encountering Clostridium botulinum, a spore-forming free healthcare tool available to horse owners as part bacteria that grows in the absence of oxygen. Tetanus, on of Vaccination Education Month (in April). It is designed Spring vaccination the other hand, is an immunization for every horse as the to explain the risk factors and then provide a print-out season is here bacteria is found in the soil and most cases of tetanus are personalized to your horse’s vaccination needs – to get the fatal. Rabies has seen its fair share of announcements of conversation started with your vet. “We are very pleased to announce April as our Vaccination Education late in certain parts of Canada and is also considered a core vaccine. Only Month,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph. “We thank Merck vaccination can prevent death from certain diseases such as rabies. Who your horse ‘hangs out with’ should be another consideration. If Animal Health, who has been an important partner of Equine Guelph programs for ten years now, supporting the continued development of your horse is a homebody but other horses in the barn travel, they may be exposed to the same threats as their higher risk travelling stable mates. this interactive online tool and other important educational initiatives.” When you purchase a new horse, it is wise to find out their vaccination status. Then you can have a conversation with your vet knowing which Timing is everything Spring is the popular time for immunization for a reason. West vaccines you require as boosters and which you may be including as part Nile vaccine and vaccines for other vector borne diseases should be of an initial vaccination course. administered before mosquitos emerge. Horses tend to receive their first influenza shots of the year in the springtime in anticipation of outings and Rules and regulations Reputable boarding barns require proof of vaccinations before increased exposure to pathogens. If you are vaccinating prior to an event, avoid vaccinating too close allowing a new equine on the property. Vaccination records and to trailering day. Depending on the vaccine used, you want to schedule biosecurity measures such as quarantine for new and returning horses are at least 2-4 weeks out from the shipping date. You should also make sure important actions taken to protect the health of the horses placed in their your horses are appropriately vaccinated for the place to which they are care. Racing regulators and racetracks, as well as organizations travelling. “Equine influenza remains one of the most frequent and contagious including the United States Equestrian Federation, Federation Equestre respiratory tract diseases in horses. As is the case on the human side, the Internationale (FEI) and Equestrian Canada have rules requiring vaccination equine influenza virus evolves over time, although at a less rapid pace,” against equine influenza. They also specify how far out before the event says Dr. Serge Denis, Technical Services Veterinary Consultant with Merck they require proof of immunization. Animal Health. “Therefore, the use of a vaccine, including recent strains of equine influenza, is highly desirable in order to help provide coverage How well do you understand the vaccines currently available and what are the discussions you should have with your vet? against strains circulating in the field.” Four questions are asked in Equine Guelph’s Vaccination Equi-Planner to help horse owners start conversations with their vet. Every farm has Equine vaccines for the times Just as the overwhelming majority of Canadians added Covid different risk factors including: age, use, sex, exposure to outside horses vaccines to their immunization roster, your vet may suggest a revised list of and geography. Whether you are the proud owner of a young foal, shots for your horse depending on what is endemic in your area and what competition horse, hobby horse or broodmare, the Vaccination Equirecent strains of disease may impact you. Your horse’s vaccination strategy Planner (TheHorsePortal.ca/VaccinationTool) points out considerations changes over time and discussions with your veterinarian are integral to for each and discusses core and risk-based (optional) vaccines your vet your immunization plans. may recommend. Age is a factor Just as a teenager would not get vaccinated for Shingles, your horse’s immunization necessities change over the course of their lives. Foals, broodmares, travelers in their prime and the senior pasture puff all have special considerations. Vaccination Equi-Planner (TheHorsePortal. ca/VaccinationTool) is a great interactive resource to learn about 16 • MAY 2022
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Equine Guelph is the horse owners' and caregivers' Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit equineguelph.ca.
