Vaccinations

[barnbum]

I just don't know, Matt. It's so frustrating. I asked about smaller needles..I've changed where they put the shot. The vets are always willing to try my suggestions. The reactions have been more consistent with the rhinos in the past, so after much thinking, I skipped them this year. I didn't expect this from spring vaccines--they didn't react to this last year. It's a mystery to me. I'll tell you, there's nothing better than a perky horse after it's past... just like a kid getting over the flu!

Maybe I should do like the Mennonites and skip the shots all together!

 

[Reble]

I just don't know, Matt. It's so frustrating. I asked about smaller needles..I've changed where they put the shot. The vets are always willing to try my suggestions. The reactions have been more consistent with the rhinos in the past, so after much thinking, I skipped them this year. I didn't expect this from spring vaccines--they didn't react to this last year. It's a mystery to me. I'll tell you, there's nothing better than a perky horse after it's past... just like a kid getting over the flu! Maybe I should do like the Mennonites and skip the shots all together!

Hi Karla,

I searched and found this article for you.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?I...ID=1&src=RA

2 suggestions in this article I found interesting was:

a) There are different types and brands of vaccines available for these diseases, so shifting type and brand from what he has previously reacted to is an option.

b) Premedicate him before each vaccination, but consider other medications, such as an antihistamine;

 

[Miniv]

Barnbum.........I was sort of thinking along the same lines as Reble.........

What manufacturer of vaccines are you using? Have you switched or tended to stay with the same? We had some experiences with a particular one a number of years ago, and switched to Prestige (we use the 5-way), and haven't had a problem since.

Ma---

 

[barnbum]

Thanks Mary and Ma--I'll ask the vet--it's just whatever they use... I wonder if they will get different brands in--or if I'll have to find a different one and have them on hand.

 

[albahurst]

I like the Prestige V by Intervet, too. I have not had the soreness issues since switching over to this brand.

Peggy

 

[mama 'n me minis]

My vet recommends vaccination a solid 4 weeks prior to foaling. She said it is better if you vaccinated say 6 weeks prior as opposed to 2 weeks prior. I use the 5 way. I was nervous to vaccinate too early but she said better that than not enough time. As we have seen, these mares can be sneaky. I wish they knew their due dates like I do !

 

[barnbum]

I stopped at the vets today to talk about the vaccines. They said Intravet (so Prestige) and Fort Dodge have combined. But it was the Prestige mine were given.

They are going to ask some of the minis owners and see if anyone else's horses are having trouble.

They used to order 4-Ways for pregnant mares, and 5-Way for everyone else, but when 5-Way was declared safe for all--they stuck to that. Minis are a small percentage of their equine visits, so ordering spearately for them may not work, but I told them, and one was going to make a note in my horse's charts, that I'll be happy to order 3-Way and give them those for now on. I'll learn how to do it, or have it on hand for the vets to administer when they come for teeth checks.

Gypsy is fine now--and Rosie--but Chloe is still unable to lift her head very high. She can eat fine, but does not put her head over the stall gate as usual. They are all out now--and she's standing alone in the barn.

Her bag has started to get a little puffy.... then it goes down... seems way too early for that to be starting. Doesn't it? She's not due until May 10th--that'd be 330 days. Or is that--could that be normal?

Gypsy is due first--and her bag has no changes.

 

[minie812]

For personal reasons, I don't vaccinate my mares before foaling. I prefer to vaccinate after they foal and before they are bred back. If your mares are vaccinated annually, they will pass immunity on to their foals. However, I do believe the immunity levels wane earlier in those foals than those whose dams were vaccinated shortly before foaling.
With my vaccination routine, I seemed to be having foals develop respiratory infections generally after weaning through early fall. This past year, I changed what I was doing. Vaccinating the mares as usual, I started vaccinating my foals (5 way) before weaning at around 3.5 months of age. Then giving them their second in a series at around 4.5 months of age. I can say that this past fall, I had no respiratory infections in my foals whatsoever. I'd like to think it was because in my case, I vaccinated them earlier.

Sure would be nice if we could check titer levels on the mares and foals to determine when vaccinating would work best!

I vacccinate as you do on my mares and use the Prestidge V and do as you do with the foals at around weaning time. I personally do not like vaccinating prego mares.

 

[albahurst]

I want to thank you all for your input on this topic. I have reached my decision with the blessing of my vet. We will be waiting til after foaling. The mares are developing bags, one rather quickly now, even though they are just over 300 days. Even our vet felt it was too close to foaling now and would be better to wait.

Peggy