tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post651796271326184234..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: To Vaccinate...Or Not?Jami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-65552277450565946732013-04-01T07:03:18.631-07:002013-04-01T07:03:18.631-07:00I also believe that there is too much vaccinating ...I also believe that there is too much vaccinating going on. I also believe that this is more detrimental to our animals with all the mercury and formaldehyde that is used to preserve the vaccines. My 15 y/o horse has not left my yard in seven years and he reacts terribly to the vaccines. My 7 y/o horse I take out once a month to the local horse show and she reacts to the shots. Both have had their shots on a regular basis fact known for the 15 y/o been in the family for 12 years and the 7 year old I have owned for 5 years. My 7 year old has eye growths that the vet is still trying to figure out,and from everything that I have read should not be given any core vaccines at all.... I can send the html later if someone would like. SO, I am struggling this year with the do I or don't I.. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10700700428432332979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58628897961046890362013-03-18T07:47:38.396-07:002013-03-18T07:47:38.396-07:00jenj--Believe me, if my vet had told me of ANY cas...jenj--Believe me, if my vet had told me of ANY cases in our area of the diseases we were discussing, I would vaccinate. So, I'm on the same page. I often gave bute when I did vaccinate in order to mitigate vaccine reactions.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-13835001041746736052013-03-18T06:54:16.101-07:002013-03-18T06:54:16.101-07:00I used to vaccinate for everything under the sun, ...I used to vaccinate for everything under the sun, because I was required to when I boarded. Now, I am more careful. We always do EEE, VEE, and WEE - there was a huge outbreak near us last year and a lot of horses died. West Nile is also prevalent in our area, and a friend's horse died from it, so I definitely vaccinate for that. Rabies and tetanus are both fatal if contracted, so they get vaccinated for that too. This year everyone got Rhino, since we will be showing and there's EHV-1 going around. I don't do flu since it's only good for 2 weeks - what's the point? I also have my vet do each vaccine in a different spot so if they start to swell, I'll know what caused it. Plus, I now give a dose of Banamine with vaccinations, since Red had a reaction to WNV. <br /><br />I don't want to over-vaccinate, but there are some very real and very dangerous diseases out there that are fatal or very costly to treat. It's a tricky tightrope to walk. jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-85343192138120118832013-03-16T12:19:29.269-07:002013-03-16T12:19:29.269-07:00HHomestead--When I was hauling to competitions, wi...HHomestead--When I was hauling to competitions, with young horses especially, I gave all the vaccines as per the recommended shot schedules. So I agree with you.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-26151728308862029462013-03-16T10:32:29.209-07:002013-03-16T10:32:29.209-07:00Your thoughts on vaccinations make sense for you &...Your thoughts on vaccinations make sense for you & your animals. I think it's more about what your are doing with them, where they travel, & how exposed they may be. My mare travels, goes here/there/everywhere & is young - I vaccinate to my Vets direction~HHmsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16129136410081149976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-29826282901226159642013-03-14T12:45:30.707-07:002013-03-14T12:45:30.707-07:00Stilllearning--I would talk to another vet. I had ...Stilllearning--I would talk to another vet. I had a vet who wanted to give every horse all the vaccinations--and after several vaccine reaction incidents, I switched vets. I don't like to work with a vet and ignore his/her point of view, but just like doctors, I need to be comfortable with that point of view. Reading through the comments on this post, its clear that others besides me have vets who agree about not over-vaccinating older horses. Personally, I am not going to vaccinate my older horses who don't go to shows for any disease that my vet has never even seen in his years of practicing here. I think that's ridiculous.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-53019199929703893942013-03-14T11:14:08.284-07:002013-03-14T11:14:08.284-07:00Very appropriate topic for me right now--with my 2...Very appropriate topic for me right now--with my 25 yo TB and his 30 yo buddy. Last year I questioned my vet about vaccinations for my foundered pony and she was not very open to cutting back on the shots. We got thru it with no reactions, but here I am, wondering again if they are necessary. Wondering if I need to talk to another vet...Stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563077467348752977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-27155561134711061842013-03-14T08:08:06.064-07:002013-03-14T08:08:06.064-07:00Kate--Yeah--I was pretty scared while I was waitin...Kate--Yeah--I was pretty scared while I was waiting for help. I didn't know if Henry was basically OK, or not. Turn out he was fine once we got him out. Whew.<br /><br />Kellie--Makes sense to me.<br /><br />Joyce--I agree. If I do give vaccines, I give one shot a session--to both kids and animals.<br /><br />MM--Phat Boy is the perfect example. I'd be very hesitant to vaccinate a horse that had already foundered a couple of times due to other causes. Such a horse obviously has a touchy immune system.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-38951211609594657822013-03-14T06:30:49.968-07:002013-03-14T06:30:49.968-07:00I'm with you on vaccinations Laura- the Locust...I'm with you on vaccinations Laura- the Locust Brothers got a select few, and their Dr thought I was nuts. Oh well. <br /><br />The horses got more vaccines when we were showing, but now, they're at home, go no where, and see no other horses. And I only trim horses in private barns who see no other horses also, so I don't worry about tracking anything home on my boots or tools. <br /><br />We do have rabies in our county, I believe 1 or 2 cases have shown up in the past year- year and a half. Considering the very high skeeter population, the only cases of WNV I've heard of were 1 in a horse 3 years back, and 2 people. So I don't worry over that either. <br /><br />If things change, I'd get the bare minimum for the horses. With Phat Boy being compromised already, the last thing he needs is a massive vaccine reaction. Mrs. Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15269132012512166439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-75587923971579928202013-03-13T21:17:16.084-07:002013-03-13T21:17:16.084-07:00Just an interesting data point here--Mocha seems t...Just an interesting data point here--Mocha seems to have fewer coughs in the years I do the flu vaccine twice a year. I don't think that's a universal, though, just a Mocha thing. I've only done it in alternate years.<br /><br />Our vet team is pretty good about suggesting we limit the amount of vaccines at one time. I think that's an issue if you're doing a lot of vaccines--don't give them all at once, give the horse a couple of weeks to settle before the next batch.<br /><br />But then again, my horse has respiratory allergies (seasonal, not heaves yet, thankfully) and given that, I'd sooner be cautious.Joyce Reynolds-Wardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-39001216484603444282013-03-13T18:33:59.591-07:002013-03-13T18:33:59.591-07:00Side note though, I did/do vaccinate my children s...Side note though, I did/do vaccinate my children since they are in school rubbing elbows with all kinds of germs/kids. Kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363876851539226250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-16621733927530294442013-03-13T18:33:58.901-07:002013-03-13T18:33:58.901-07:00Side note though, I did/do vaccinate my children s...Side note though, I did/do vaccinate my children since they are in school rubbing elbows with all kinds of germs/kids. Kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363876851539226250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-33611438997094799722013-03-13T18:32:36.362-07:002013-03-13T18:32:36.362-07:00We do not vaccinate at this time, as our horses do...We do not vaccinate at this time, as our horses do not travel - except to the back 40+ and have no outside horses in. <br /><br />I might reevaluate that if circumstances changed. <br />Kelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14363876851539226250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-683645821259946992013-03-13T17:48:11.713-07:002013-03-13T17:48:11.713-07:00Glad Henry is OK - that must have been scary.Glad Henry is OK - that must have been scary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-41812060007371226002013-03-13T13:53:11.586-07:002013-03-13T13:53:11.586-07:00Martine--That is such a good point. And true of pe...Martine--That is such a good point. And true of people, too. If sick people/kids/animals stay home and rest (as is best for them to do) all of us would be spared great risk. But sick horses, or horses whose stablemates are sick, are routinely taken to competitions, sick kids are sent to school, sick adults go to work and/or to the store--creating a great risk for others. We never know what individual will get the disease badly--possibly fatally. And you are so right in what you say. I, too, am not holding my breath that others will prioritize this point of view and stay home if they or their kids/animals are sick...though I sure try to follow it myself.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-66047168600007516062013-03-13T13:36:05.093-07:002013-03-13T13:36:05.093-07:00The range of vaccines given in Ireland is much mor...The range of vaccines given in Ireland is much more limited than what you guys give over there. I was appalled several years ago when the FEI decreed that the FLU vaccine should be given twice a year. What this meant for us, with a horse that <i>might</i> possibly some day go international, even at junior level, was that he should have his vaccinations twice a year - completely unnecessary, in my view. Even my vet agreed with me that it was nuts, but in order to have an FEI passport, he had to have a valid record for the previous twelve months.<br />Fast forward to now. The same horse no longer competes, but travels a fair bit. Yeah I will keep vaccinating annually as long as I keep exposing him to strange "herds" but that whole six month thing is just insane, yet it was the decree issued from our supreme governing body.<br />I can speak from the other side of the argument, too - we had two show-jumping ponies who were uptodate (annually) with their (flu & tet) vaccines but were infected with what I suspect was EHV at a big show. Both of them were out of action for a year, one of them never fully recovered. The issue there was not insufficient or improper vaccination on my part, but irresponsible horse owners bringing sick or infected animals to a show. If all so-called horse lovers take the responsibility to NOT travel sick or animals or animals which have <i>possibly been exposed to disease</i> then the risks are greatly reduced for us all... but is this going to happen when ribbons and trophies are at stake??Martinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14496995504975297110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-9951226406970992062013-03-13T13:24:40.085-07:002013-03-13T13:24:40.085-07:00Susan--I agree with some of your points--but I wil...Susan--I agree with some of your points--but I will vaccinate for, for instance, tetanus. I have seen a horse dying of tetanus--which is easily preventable through vaccination. I think vaccines can serve a good purpose. I just think that we are overdoing them currently. As I said, I would/will vaccinate if there is a clear risk of my horses contracting a serious disease for which there is a reliable vaccination. I also think that titer levels from two properly spaced vaccinations last MUCH longer than people suppose. My friend titers for rabies every year on her dog and after eight years since his last shot, the dog's titer levels are still just fine.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-52669456926630110792013-03-13T13:06:10.889-07:002013-03-13T13:06:10.889-07:00The last time I vaccinated a horse, his neck swell...The last time I vaccinated a horse, his neck swelled up and he almost suffocated. That was over 20 years ago. We've had a couple horses get sick with who knows what. Within a week they were better. I rely on my horses immune systems to take care of them, but they are healthy and not under stress.<br /><br />If I had children, they would not be vaccinated. My sister stopped after her daughter ended up in the emergency room hours after receiving shots.<br /><br />We have immune systems for a reason. Eat healthy, avoid toxins and stress so your immune system isn't overloaded and your body can handle disease like it was designed to do. Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04986249712144982103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-17267348968394442322013-03-13T12:29:43.458-07:002013-03-13T12:29:43.458-07:00Horsegenes and Stephanie--Sounds like we are all o...Horsegenes and Stephanie--Sounds like we are all on the same page. And you know, whatever you do, sometimes you have trouble. I was reminded of this this morning, when, after typing this post and feeding a perfectly healthy group of horses, my son came running up to the house about an hour ago saying that Henry was stuck in the fence. And stuck he very definitely was. I had half an hour (which seemed like an eternity), of waiting for strong friends to arrive, and the whole time I was praying Henry would be OK, and trying to keep him from struggling and damaging himself. And eventually we got him out and he seems fine. But it took all four of us. I've kept horses out here for twenty years and never once had a seriously cast horse (one that I couldn't easily get out). And this winter I've had two badly cast horses. Fortunately Henry was only down for maybe an hour or so and doesn't seem traumatized, unlike Gunner, who was probably down for half the night. But still--I've got relatively safe corrals, and everything has always been fine in this area...so, no matter what you do, when you have horses, stuff happens.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-13848786679113250512013-03-13T11:47:36.626-07:002013-03-13T11:47:36.626-07:00Honestly, my vet only recommended giving my horses...Honestly, my vet only recommended giving my horses their tetnus shots on a yearly basis as I wasn't showing and my horses never left my property. Now that I will be trailering out for lessons, they'll get a few more but I don't live in a particularly risky area, so thanks, but no thanks to a lot of the vaccines!hammerhorseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07144749417680923288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-28587971478890654472013-03-13T11:02:56.483-07:002013-03-13T11:02:56.483-07:00Being a boarder...I kind of have to do what the ba...Being a boarder...I kind of have to do what the barn owners want. And the horses that I show and haul a lot I tend to go towards the upper end of the vaccination routine. I do break them up to spring and fall so they are not getting it all at one time. <br /><br />BUT the Twisted Sisters... Every other year or so. They were vaccinated yearly for most of their lives so I don't feel that it is necessary to go over board now. I do vaccinate for mosquito carried diseases more regularly because they live in mosquito infested rice land. And we have had West Nile near by. But the rest...not so much.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-30866462195038234832013-03-13T10:40:50.923-07:002013-03-13T10:40:50.923-07:00Marissa Rose--I had the same experience as your mo...Marissa Rose--I had the same experience as your mom. My baby reacted to some of the shots and I did some research about what was really needed, and my child got a very modified vaccination schedule.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-84971878185047935072013-03-13T10:17:04.472-07:002013-03-13T10:17:04.472-07:00I think your pretty spot on. I think it depends on...I think your pretty spot on. I think it depends on the horse, and what they are exposed to. I think that in general, vaccines can be harmful more than helpful, in people as well. I am personally only vaccinated with about a quarter of what they expect newborns to be vaccinated with. I had a bad reaction, so my mother took me home and did research about what ones are really needed by newborns!<br /><br />I think that over vaccinating can lead to immunity of the vaccination, and that is so scary! So I think it should be on a case by case basis, the age of horses, what is in your area, what they are exposed to, and also, if your horse is an easy keeper! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14850398102722859692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-53054298434481018392013-03-13T09:35:13.985-07:002013-03-13T09:35:13.985-07:00Bill--I think that having a good relationship with...Bill--I think that having a good relationship with one's vet is key. I had my vet out to look at something that I was pretty sure I understood without his help, just so that I could have the vaccination discussion with him face to face--for exactly the reasons you say. I want my vet to be interested in my horses and to feel he knows both them and me.<br /><br />Also, I keep oral Banamine on hand for colic. With my vet's agreement, any time a horse shows even minor symptoms of colic, I give a dose of Banamine. Not only does it treat the colic before it escalates to a real problem, its also diagnostic. If the colic goes away, its all good. If it does not, or reoccurs when the Banamine wears off, this is diagnostic. You NEED the vet immediately. And by then you can usually have been in contact and lined up the visit.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-5881995163158511472013-03-13T09:18:20.831-07:002013-03-13T09:18:20.831-07:00Since we live next door to a riding livery with 30... Since we live next door to a riding livery with 30-50 horses cycling through, we vaccinate every year with at least a 3 way (E. and W. Encephalitis, and Tetanus) and we use our vet to do it. I could easily give the shots myself, but we live MILES away from any vets, and this lets the vet know our horses, and develop a vested interest in our herd. <br /><br /> We have heard horror stories of horse owners that couldn't get a vet up here in time for colic, or whatever.<br /><br /> If we really need him, he comes a running. <br /><br />BillAllenspark Lodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06390004633731055728noreply@blogger.com