Equine December 2008 Newsletter
Vaccinations
The protocols regarding vaccination are complex and can often lead to confusion. Anyone who has ever missed a booster and had to re-start the course will testify to this! It is also easy to forget importance of vaccination for the health of your horse.
There are two core diseases which we vaccinate against in the UK: Equine Influenza ('flu') and Tetanus ('tet'). These two diseases are often forgotten about when thinking of common equine illnesses as clinical cases in this country are relatively few. However, this is largely due to the widespread uptake of vaccination among horse owners, something which is to be greatly applauded. Unvaccinated horses are constantly at risk as the disease causing agents are ever-present.
Flu
Equine flu is similar to human flu in that it is caused primarily by viruses although bacteria can become involved too. Symptoms include dullness, a high temperature and loss of appetite and can progress to coughing, swollen lymph nodes and a nasal discharge. The virus is highly infectious. Last year Australia, which had been previously free of equine flu, suffered an outbreak of this disease which paralysed the equine world and cost horse owners millions of pounds. The effect of this epidemic has been compared in scale to the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak. This serves us with a timely reminder of the importance of vaccination as the virus which causes the disease is in circulation in the UK.
Tet
Tetanus is caused by a clostridial bacteria which is ubiquitous in the environment and which enters the bloodstream through even minor cuts and grazes in the skin. Clinical cases have a very low survival rate and are truly horrific to see. Horses initially are twitchy and very responsive to even minor stimulation. This progresses to a point where the muscles become tightly rigid and can reach the point where the jaw becomes so tight the horse can fracture its own teeth. Luckily vaccination is very effective at preventing this disease.
Protocol
Horses can be vaccinated from 5 months of age, before this foals will have some protection from the mare providing she was up to date with her vaccinations at foaling. The initial course is 2 injections 21-92 days apart, the best time for the 2nd injection being 4 weeks after the first. After this the horse will be fully protected against flu for 12 months and tetanus for 3 years. It is important to give a booster injection at 12 months before protection from flu wanes. Although in theory tetanus requires boosting every 3 years it is practice policy to boost each disease each year as there are no reported side effects from doing this and there is no additional cost for doing this (it also keeps things much simpler!).
Now the complicated bit. For all horses which travel or compete at even the most junior level additional rules are imposed by the jockey club. This includes an additional booster 150-210 days (approximately six months) after the second injection. It is also insisted that annual booster injections are within less than 365 days apart, meaning that horses going even a single day overdue have to re-start the full 3 injection course. Unfortunately no exceptions are allowed. FEI rules for internationally competing horses are even stricter with a booster required at least every 6 months!
Side effects from modern vaccines are very rare. Occasionally local reactions at the vaccination site can occur (quoted to be less than 3 in 10,000) and these should be reported. Systemic reactions could in theory occur but are virtually unheard of. With the older generation of vaccines it was often to recommended to provide a period of rest after vaccination. With modern vaccines this is not necessary although it may be sensible to avoid planning to vaccinate in the middle of a 3 day event!
A common confusion is between Tetanus Toxoid (the vaccine) and Tetanus Antitoxin which is used to provide a limited period of protection against tetanus in unvaccinated horses where a challenge is anticipated. Antitoxin will only provide protection for a matter of weeks and reliance on it to protect against the disease is unacceptable as even tiny unnoticed cuts can potentially lead to clinical disease.
This practices believes in the vital importance vaccination plays in protecting the health of your horse and its policy is to recommend that ALL horses are fully up to date with their vaccinations. However, if you have any question regarding vaccination do not hesitate to speak to any of our vets.
Clipping Time Again...
It is that time of year again when we have to start thinking about clipping the winter coat off of our horses and ponies. For many horses (and owners!) this can be a traumatic and occasionally dangerous experience.
It is not uncommon for us to be called out to provide deep intravenous sedation to allow a proper clip to be safely carried out. However, for many horses that dislike being clipped milder form of sedation which is available from your vet practice (with the approval of a veterinary surgeon) without the need for a visit. It is called Sedazine Gel (acepromazine or ACP) and is given in an oral syringe form not unlike some of the commonly used wormers. It is properly described as an anxiolytic which means that it makes horses less wound up and reduces their reaction to external stimuli. It is based on the same drug we use for premedication of dogs prior to a general anaesthetic. Generally it is very safe to use, although it should be avoided in stallions and pregnant mares, and can be given at different levels according to the depth of sedation required. To allow the drug to reach its peak effect it needs to be given a few hours before the procedure is due to take place. Remember to always read the instructions of any medicine before use! Also remember that sedation is only part of the management of horses for clipping and getting horses use to the sound and feel of clippers gradually and the use of ear plugs and blindfolds and even having the radio turned up loud can all help calm an anxious horse.
As in all cases of working with around horses, your (and others around you) safety is paramount. If you would like to discuss safe restraint of your horse for clipping or if you feel Sedazine could be of benefit to you please feel free to speak to one of our vets.
The protocols regarding vaccination are complex and can often lead to confusion. Anyone who has ever missed a booster and had to re-start the course will testify to this! It is also easy to forget importance of vaccination for the health of your horse.
There are two core diseases which we vaccinate against in the UK: Equine Influenza ('flu') and Tetanus ('tet'). These two diseases are often forgotten about when thinking of common equine illnesses as clinical cases in this country are relatively few. However, this is largely due to the widespread uptake of vaccination among horse owners, something which is to be greatly applauded. Unvaccinated horses are constantly at risk as the disease causing agents are ever-present.
Flu
Equine flu is similar to human flu in that it is caused primarily by viruses although bacteria can become involved too. Symptoms include dullness, a high temperature and loss of appetite and can progress to coughing, swollen lymph nodes and a nasal discharge. The virus is highly infectious. Last year Australia, which had been previously free of equine flu, suffered an outbreak of this disease which paralysed the equine world and cost horse owners millions of pounds. The effect of this epidemic has been compared in scale to the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth outbreak. This serves us with a timely reminder of the importance of vaccination as the virus which causes the disease is in circulation in the UK.
Tet
Tetanus is caused by a clostridial bacteria which is ubiquitous in the environment and which enters the bloodstream through even minor cuts and grazes in the skin. Clinical cases have a very low survival rate and are truly horrific to see. Horses initially are twitchy and very responsive to even minor stimulation. This progresses to a point where the muscles become tightly rigid and can reach the point where the jaw becomes so tight the horse can fracture its own teeth. Luckily vaccination is very effective at preventing this disease.
Protocol
Horses can be vaccinated from 5 months of age, before this foals will have some protection from the mare providing she was up to date with her vaccinations at foaling. The initial course is 2 injections 21-92 days apart, the best time for the 2nd injection being 4 weeks after the first. After this the horse will be fully protected against flu for 12 months and tetanus for 3 years. It is important to give a booster injection at 12 months before protection from flu wanes. Although in theory tetanus requires boosting every 3 years it is practice policy to boost each disease each year as there are no reported side effects from doing this and there is no additional cost for doing this (it also keeps things much simpler!).
Now the complicated bit. For all horses which travel or compete at even the most junior level additional rules are imposed by the jockey club. This includes an additional booster 150-210 days (approximately six months) after the second injection. It is also insisted that annual booster injections are within less than 365 days apart, meaning that horses going even a single day overdue have to re-start the full 3 injection course. Unfortunately no exceptions are allowed. FEI rules for internationally competing horses are even stricter with a booster required at least every 6 months!
Side effects from modern vaccines are very rare. Occasionally local reactions at the vaccination site can occur (quoted to be less than 3 in 10,000) and these should be reported. Systemic reactions could in theory occur but are virtually unheard of. With the older generation of vaccines it was often to recommended to provide a period of rest after vaccination. With modern vaccines this is not necessary although it may be sensible to avoid planning to vaccinate in the middle of a 3 day event!
A common confusion is between Tetanus Toxoid (the vaccine) and Tetanus Antitoxin which is used to provide a limited period of protection against tetanus in unvaccinated horses where a challenge is anticipated. Antitoxin will only provide protection for a matter of weeks and reliance on it to protect against the disease is unacceptable as even tiny unnoticed cuts can potentially lead to clinical disease.
This practices believes in the vital importance vaccination plays in protecting the health of your horse and its policy is to recommend that ALL horses are fully up to date with their vaccinations. However, if you have any question regarding vaccination do not hesitate to speak to any of our vets.
Clipping Time Again...
It is that time of year again when we have to start thinking about clipping the winter coat off of our horses and ponies. For many horses (and owners!) this can be a traumatic and occasionally dangerous experience.
It is not uncommon for us to be called out to provide deep intravenous sedation to allow a proper clip to be safely carried out. However, for many horses that dislike being clipped milder form of sedation which is available from your vet practice (with the approval of a veterinary surgeon) without the need for a visit. It is called Sedazine Gel (acepromazine or ACP) and is given in an oral syringe form not unlike some of the commonly used wormers. It is properly described as an anxiolytic which means that it makes horses less wound up and reduces their reaction to external stimuli. It is based on the same drug we use for premedication of dogs prior to a general anaesthetic. Generally it is very safe to use, although it should be avoided in stallions and pregnant mares, and can be given at different levels according to the depth of sedation required. To allow the drug to reach its peak effect it needs to be given a few hours before the procedure is due to take place. Remember to always read the instructions of any medicine before use! Also remember that sedation is only part of the management of horses for clipping and getting horses use to the sound and feel of clippers gradually and the use of ear plugs and blindfolds and even having the radio turned up loud can all help calm an anxious horse.
As in all cases of working with around horses, your (and others around you) safety is paramount. If you would like to discuss safe restraint of your horse for clipping or if you feel Sedazine could be of benefit to you please feel free to speak to one of our vets.