With fall just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about vaccinations again. Below is some information on what our team at Abraham’s Equine Clinic is recommending for your adult horses, pregnant mares, and foals.
Adult Horse Vaccine Recommendations
Equine Influenza
Equine influenza virus infects the upper respiratory tract of horses. It is one of the most common causes of upper respiratory infections of horses. Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite. Adult horses should be routinely vaccinated at 6-month intervals.
Equine Herpes Virus (Rhinopneumonitis)
Equine herpes-1 and equine herpes-4 can cause upper respiratory disease, abortion, and neurologic disease. Horses can carry these viruses and never show signs of being ill. They can shed the virus intermittently into the environment when they are stressed, so outbreaks can occur even in a closed facility. Adult horses should be routinely vaccinated at 6-month intervals.
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitos. This year, there have been cases of West Nile reported in 23 states, with recent cases confirmed locally. Often these cases are in unvaccinated horses. Symptoms include fever, weakness, incoordination, loss of appetite, depression, and muscle twitching in the neck. We recommend that most horses be vaccinated annually in the spring, but a fall booster is recommended this year if you are in a mosquito-dense area.
Pregnant Mare Vaccine Recommendations
Equine Herpes Virus- (Rhinopneumonitis)
Equine herpesvirus type 1 can cause abortion and respiratory disease in pregnant mares. Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at 5 months, 7 months, and 9 months of gestation to protect against herpes virus abortion.
Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Influenza, and West Nile
Vaccine should be administered 4-6 weeks prior to their due date.
Foal Vaccine Recommendations
Listed below are our recommendations for foals, but these may vary depending on each foal. Please speak with your veterinarian about the best options for your foal.
Foals born to properly vaccinated mares prior to foaling:
Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile are a primary three dose series:
First vaccine given at 4 to 6 months of age.
Booster dose 4 to 6 weeks after the initial dose.
The third dose is given at 10 to 12 months of age.
Influenza is a primary three dose series:
First dose given at 6 months of age.
Booster dose 4 to 6 weeks after initial dose.
The third dose is given at 10 to 12 months of age.
Rabies is a primary one dose series:
First dose given no earlier than 6 months of age.
Strangles is a primary two dose series:
First dose given at 6 to 9 months of age.
Booster dose 3 to 4 weeks after initial dose.
Foals born to NOT properly vaccinated mares prior to foaling:
Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rhinopneumonitis, and West Nile are a primary four dose series:
First vaccine given at 1 to 4 months of age
Booster dose given 4 weeks after the initial dose.
A third dose is given 4 weeks after the booster.
The fourth dose is given at 10 to 12 months of age.
Influenza, Rabies, and Strangles are given on the same schedule as foals born to properly vaccinated mares (listed above).
The recommendations listed above are intended as general guidelines. It is always best to consult with your veterinarian regarding specific recommendations for your horses. Please call our office to schedule your vaccination appointments. We are currently scheduling vaccine appointments both in the clinic and out in the field at barns.
