03/02/2022
With spring right around the corner, we wanted to take a minute to discuss the importance of vaccines. Vaccines fall into one of two categories: core vaccines and risk-based vaccines.
Core Vaccines – These vaccines are given annually to all horses, regardless of geography. Core vaccines are: Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, tetanus, West Nile Virus and rabies. EEE/WEE are spread through mosquitos. Tetanus caused by Clostridium tetani, a bacteria that is always present in a horse’s environment, and enters the body through wounds. Rabies spreads through bites from infected wildlife.
Risk-Based Vaccines – These vaccines are only given if there is a risk of the horse being exposed to the disease, or under the advisement of a veterinarian. Common risk-based vaccines include: Equine Influenza Virus (EIV), Equine Rhinopneumonitis Virus (herpesvirus/EHV -1/4), strangles, Potomac Horse Fever, botulism, anthrax, Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), leptospirosis, rotavirus and snakebite. EIV/EHV-1/4 are highly contagious from horse to horse. EIV is primarily spread through aerosolized droplets, while EHV-1/4 are spread through aerosolized droplets, direct horse to horse contact, and by shared equipment. USEF requires vaccination every 6 months for entry to competitions for both EIV and EHV1/4. All horses in high traffic barns should receive this vaccine, even if they do not travel. Traveling horses risk exposure and can carry the virus and spread it to unvaccinated horses on the property.
We recommend vaccination for EIV/EHV 1/4 and strangles to horses that are frequently exposed to other horses (showing, trail riding, etc) or are stabled near show horses.
Vaccinating for Potomac Horse Fever and botulism is recommended by veterinarians based on geography. The Potomac vaccine is typically administered in the summer because this disease is correlated to the hatching of aquatic insects. The disease can cause diarrhea, fever, laminitis and mild colic. Botulism is present in some soils, and horses eating hay are at an increased risk due to small animals being trapped in the hay during the baling process. The toxin is released by decaying animals.
Vaccination is one of the best ways to stay on top of your horse’s health care.
Contact Bucks County Equine, LLC, with Dr. David Adam-Castrillo