When you take your horse to shows or trail rides, you increase their risk of exposure to many diseases. For optimum immunity against deadly diseases, vaccinate them in early spring and give “boosters“in early fall. 

RESPIRATORY DISEASES ARE ACQUIRED THRU CONTACT WITH OTHER HORSES

RHINOPNEUMONITIS (Equine Herpes Virus) is a viral infection which causes abortion, respiratory, and neurological symptoms. It affects horses of all ages although it is most severe in young horses.  Vaccine may not completely protect against the neurological form.

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: Pregnant mares should be vaccinated with (RHIK) Pneumabort K (prior to breeding and at 5, 7, 9 months of pregnancy) to prevent abortion.

 FLU (Equine Influenza Virus) is a viral respiratory disease which can lead to bacterial complications.

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: Show horses, trail riders, and horses that are boarded at stables should be vaccinated spring and fall.

STRANGLES (Strepococcus Equi) is a very contagious bacterial upper respiratory disease which causes swollen lymph nodes and is passed by nose to nose contact or aerosolized nasal discharge.

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: Vaccinate once or twice yearly depending on exposure.

MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASES

EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis) Sleeping Sickness is a viral disease which causes neurological symptoms such as depression, wobbling, and head pressing.  Birds are virus reservoirs however the disease is passed by mosquitoes.  It can be fatal within 3 days.

WEE (Western Equine Encephalomyelitis) Sleeping Sickness is a viral disease which causes neurological symptoms. Birds are virus reservoirs however the disease is passed by mosquitoes.  People can be infected with WEE by mosquitoes!!!

WNV (West Nile Virus) is a mosquito borne virus which causes neurological disease. It causes flu like symptoms with a high temp, muscle twitching, hypersensitivity to touch, drowsiness, and depression.  It has a 30 % mortality rate.

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: TO PREVENT THESE THREE DISEASES: To vaccinate prior to the mosquito season and a “booster” if there is an out break of the diseases.  We use the Fort Dodge “Mosquito Shot”.

DISEASES ACQUIRED FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

EPM (Equine Protozoal Myloencephalitis) is a neurological disease caused by a protozoa passed by opossums, skunks, and raccoons.  We are sad to say the vaccine is unavailable at this time.

PHF (POTOMAC HORSE FEVER) is a disease caused by Ehrlichia ristici bacteria. It affects the intestinal tract and causes fever, severe diarrhea, depression, colic, and laminitis. It is suspected that snails and May flies transmit the disease. 

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: Vaccinate in spring and ”booster” if there is an out break of the disease.

TETANUS (LOCKJAW) is a fatal disease caused by Clostridium tetari bacteria that enters the umbilical cord or wound from affected manure or soil.  Even if treated there is a high mortality rate.

CVS RECOMMENDATIONS: Vaccinate annually. A booster may be given if the horse has a wound.

RABIES is a fatal viral disease that affects the nervous system. It is spread by the bite of an infected animal (skunk, raccoon, fox, bat, dog, or cat) the only treatment is euthanasia.

PREVENTION IS THE KEY- PROTECT YOUR HORSE AND YOUSELF!! THERE IS NO CURE!

Vaccinate annually due to endemic status, and legal liability of horse owners and barn managers.