Post by kristi on Oct 18, 2013 7:17:48 GMT -8
I am struggling with some issues with Katie, my QH mare. As many of you know, she was bred this spring for a March 2014 foal.
I usually vaccinate annually for West Nile (condition of my insurance), rhino-flu (important for a show horse who travels!), and of course "the usual" 3 way - tetanus, Eastern and Western encephalitis (sp?).
Last year (2012), I couldn't get the usual WNV in one, rhino-flu in one, and 3-way. Instead, the clinic was selling a "6-way". Against my better judgement, I tried it. Katie got sick. Major lethargy, stiff and sore and swollen near the injection site. I had an emergency call out to the vet who prescribed a drug similar to Banamine to help with pain and swelling, which it did. By the next day Katie was on the mend but I was not happy!
(and we won't even talk about the clinic who insists they have not had any vaccination reaction complaints even though I complained to them myself!!)
This year, with Katie going for breeding right around the same time I usually vaccinate, I didn't do any of her vaccinations. There is just too much bad press on WNV vaccinations near breeding time and really, most vets will tell you tetanus doesn't need to be done every year in a horse that has been vaccinated regularly. I took my chances on the rhino-flu at the time - rather not chance things in the first trimester.
At 5 months (early September), I did give her the rhino shot to prevent abortion. We used to use Pneumabort K, but nobody is carrying it so I got Prodigy instead. According to the reading on them, both have "fan clubs" and both have "hate mail". Either way, I spent a scad of money on this breeding so I would rather be safe than sorry.
Well, you guess it - vaccination reaction. Not as bad as spring 2012, but enough to make me pause.
No flaming requested (!!), but I am curious as to other people's takes on this issue. Vaccinate or don't? Take my chances with an increasing reaction at 7 months and 9 months? Or take my chances with a rhino virus? The transport season is pretty much done - she comes home within two weeks or so and there are no horses near my place at all. She will remain at home until after foaling in mid-March (probably moving to the arena early to mid-April).
I am also on the fence with deworming. I have been using Eqvalan Gold more often than not lately. My pens are small but cleaned regularly, and major infection is not usually an issue for me. However, I am pretty sure Eqvalan Gold is off-label for pregnant mares (untested or unsafe, not sure which but again, I am into reducing risk here!). I picked up a single dose of Strongid P and am thinking of starting with this, the following with a regular ivermectin in 6-8 weeks (after we get into some true frost conditions).
Interested in getting some feedback from you all on these issues.
Thanks,
~ Kristi : )
I usually vaccinate annually for West Nile (condition of my insurance), rhino-flu (important for a show horse who travels!), and of course "the usual" 3 way - tetanus, Eastern and Western encephalitis (sp?).
Last year (2012), I couldn't get the usual WNV in one, rhino-flu in one, and 3-way. Instead, the clinic was selling a "6-way". Against my better judgement, I tried it. Katie got sick. Major lethargy, stiff and sore and swollen near the injection site. I had an emergency call out to the vet who prescribed a drug similar to Banamine to help with pain and swelling, which it did. By the next day Katie was on the mend but I was not happy!
(and we won't even talk about the clinic who insists they have not had any vaccination reaction complaints even though I complained to them myself!!)
This year, with Katie going for breeding right around the same time I usually vaccinate, I didn't do any of her vaccinations. There is just too much bad press on WNV vaccinations near breeding time and really, most vets will tell you tetanus doesn't need to be done every year in a horse that has been vaccinated regularly. I took my chances on the rhino-flu at the time - rather not chance things in the first trimester.
At 5 months (early September), I did give her the rhino shot to prevent abortion. We used to use Pneumabort K, but nobody is carrying it so I got Prodigy instead. According to the reading on them, both have "fan clubs" and both have "hate mail". Either way, I spent a scad of money on this breeding so I would rather be safe than sorry.
Well, you guess it - vaccination reaction. Not as bad as spring 2012, but enough to make me pause.
No flaming requested (!!), but I am curious as to other people's takes on this issue. Vaccinate or don't? Take my chances with an increasing reaction at 7 months and 9 months? Or take my chances with a rhino virus? The transport season is pretty much done - she comes home within two weeks or so and there are no horses near my place at all. She will remain at home until after foaling in mid-March (probably moving to the arena early to mid-April).
I am also on the fence with deworming. I have been using Eqvalan Gold more often than not lately. My pens are small but cleaned regularly, and major infection is not usually an issue for me. However, I am pretty sure Eqvalan Gold is off-label for pregnant mares (untested or unsafe, not sure which but again, I am into reducing risk here!). I picked up a single dose of Strongid P and am thinking of starting with this, the following with a regular ivermectin in 6-8 weeks (after we get into some true frost conditions).
Interested in getting some feedback from you all on these issues.
Thanks,
~ Kristi : )
. My heart breaks for you.