Spring is around the corner bringing with it warmer weather and insects.  A variety of these insects carry diseases that could not only make your horse ill but also be fatal.  The following briefly describes the diseases Dr. Abraham vaccinates for, why and when.

1.                  TETANUS:  This is a neurological disease.  Horses should initially receive 2 doses over a 3 to 4 week interval, then annually.  This is an important vaccination in preventative care and no horse should be left unprotected.  Tetanus is generally fatal.  The efficacy of this vaccine is very high.

2.                  RHINO/FLU (Rhinopneumonitis/Influenza:  This vaccination combats respiratory diseases and is recommended 1 to 6 times per year depending on the horse’s lifestyle.  Influenza is the most common cause of respiratory disease in the horse.  Yearly may be enough for the backyard horse that never leaves home.  Breeding barns may be advised to vaccinate every 2-3 months to protect mares.  Show and boarded horses, which come into contact with new or a high number of horses may also be advised to vaccinate more frequently.  Speak to your veterinarian about your horse’s needs.

3.                  POTOMAC HORSE FEVER:  PHF moved into our region in 1988.  Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, founder and occasionally death.  Believed to be transmitted by mayflies  and seen in the summer months, it is best to vaccinate in the spring.  Initially horses should receive two doses 3-4 weeks apart then annually.

4.                  RABIES:  Rabies is a neurological and invariably fatal disease.  Horses suffer from the “dummy” form of rabies.  Symptoms show first as colic and progress to neurological.  With a surge of rabies making it’s way across the country we recommend immunizing all horses, dogs and cats.

5.                  WEST NILE: West Nile is prevalent in our area.  Spread by mosquitoes, this virus causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord.  Affected horses can suffer muscle weakness, partial paralysis, fever, convulsions, coma and death.  We strongly recommend vaccinating for this disease.  Initially 2 doses are given 3-4 weeks apart then annually.  A fall booster may be recommended by Dr. Abraham.

6.                  EQUINE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (Sleeping Sickness):  Similar to West Nile and transmitted by mosquitoes, Equine Encephalomyelitis attacks the brain and central nervous system.  Afflicted horses may lose their appetite, display excitable behavior, and walk blindly into objects.  There are three strains of the virus.  Eastern (EEE) kills 75-100% of infected horses and is the most deadly.  Western (WEE) is less severe and more common.  Venezuelan (VEE) is recommended for horses in states bordering Mexico.  Vaccinate annually in the spring.  Horses receiving their first dose must have a booster in 3-4 weeks.

7.                  RHINOPNEUMONITIS (PNEUMABORT-K):  Herpes virus form of Rhino is the most common cause of abortion.  Vaccinate pregnant mares in the 5^th, 7^th, and 9^th month of pregnancy.

8.                  STRANGLES (Distemper):  Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection.  Symptoms are fever, nasal discharge, cough, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes in the head.  Strangles is transmitted via nasal secretions, pus from draining abscesses, flies and contaminated objects.  Ask your veterinarian for specific vaccination recommendations.

9.                  EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS (EVA):  Most commonly given to breeding animals in endemic areas.  Iowa is not an endemic area.

                   10.        INTRANASAL INFLUENZA VACCINE (FLU-AVERT):  Protects against influenza and is given at the source of infection,
                    the nasal passages.  Highly effective and recommended for horses at boarding stables, breeding facilities and racetracks.