Rhino/Flu shot Horse

[arlosmine]

Well,

Just to toss out something to think about...There has been a move in the past several years to become more conservative with both the number of and frequency of vaccinating horses. My vet is now reccomending far less vaccinating than she did 15 years ago, and I am glad.

I have been a full time trainer for over twenty-five years and now only give vaccinations for life-threatening diseases. (once a year west-nile,EEE,Tetnus,no flu or rino since I am not breeding, nor do we have pregnant mares at the barn) I do nasel vaccines whenever possible and will not do strangles because it is one of the most-prone to severe side-effects. I also avoid five-ways and try to give singles, one at a time, a month apart .Also, if you vaccinate a horse w/strangles after they have been exposed- you can have really bad problems- so you are not supposed to do it if there has been strangles in the area!(weird). The show horses get done twice a year, my students who have a "closed herd" at home, once a year.

Over the years I have seen/owned horses with lots of reactions to vaccinations: big body abcesses, Flu symptoms, necks so stiff they can't eat well for days, permenant lumps feft after the swelling goes down...I do still vaccinate, but I am no longer casual about it.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

Thank You All!! The video is great and BONUS it has lots of other video's as well to help us! I do think having a horse it's extremely important I learn how to give the shots, wormer, etc. I know the Vet did say the Rabies must be given by them but otherwise she said the others can all be bought and given to the horse by me.
Thanks again for all who responded!

 

[lorieMN]

most of the time if they get a reaction like swelling or abcess.its not from the shot but from dirt getting into the injection site,,,clean first with alcohol will usually prevent this..strangles is normally a once in a lifetime thing..if they get it the younger the better,younger horses can fight it off much better,older horses can become very sick tho..I dont vaccinate for it,I do for rabies,and depending on your state some you can give yourself..here in MN we can give rabies to horses but not dogs and cats,I also give tetnus(sp?) and we have only geldings here and dont bother with rhino,and I havent had a sick horse for probably 20 years or more..just like kids they need to be exposed to some little stuff to build their own immunities,now breeding mares need rhino if I remember right like every 3 months during the pregnancy,bred mares getting rhino can abort or have premature babies,and premature foals life expectency past 5 years old is pretty slim.

 

[farmerlor]

I usually use some alcohol to clean the area I'm going to give a shot in. I rub really hard and it sort of numbs the area so I don't get any reaction when I shove the needle in. My horses are real good about shots. The only time I have the vet give shots is first shots for newborns and the antibiotics for mares after foaling.