Equine Immunizations Available
At Prescott Animal Hospital Equine Center we believe in providing exceptional medical care by using the gold standard of product and establishing the highest standard of preventative care for your animal. Our Zoetis horse vaccinations come with a immunization support guarantee and we mirror our vaccination protocols after the Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Standards. They are as follows:
Spring: Rhinopneumonitis / Influenza, West Nile, Encephalomyelitis / Tetanus
Fall: Streptococcus Equi, Rhinopneumonitis / Influenza, Rabies
Booster shots for horses vary upon age, previous history or if the horse is in foal. Additional vaccines for horses are available upon the owner’s request, including the Rattlesnake vaccine.
AAEP Vaccination Recommendations
The following information is available from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in regards to current disease vaccination recommendations:
- Tetanus: Sometimes called “lockjaw” tetanus is caused by toxin-producing bacteria present in the intestinal tract of many animals found in abundance of soil where horses live. It spores can exist for years. The spores enter the body through wounds, lacerations or the umbilicus of newborn foals. Symptoms include muscle stiffness and rigidity, flared nostrils, hypersensitivity, and the legs stiffly held in a sawhorse stance. As the disease [progresses, muscles in the jaw and face stiffen, preventing the animal from eating or drinking. More than 80 percent of affected horses die. All horses should be immunized against tetanus.
- Encephalomyelitis: More commonly known as “sleeping sickness” this disease is caused by the Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus or the eastern version (EEE). WEE has been noted throughout North America, while EEE appears only in the east and southeast. Sleeping sickness is most often transmitted by mosquitoes. After the insects have acquired the virus from birds and rodents. Symptoms vary widely, but all results from the degeneration of the brain. Early signs include fever, depression and appetite loss. Later a horse might stagger when it walks and death rate is 75-100% of animals infected with EEE> All horses need an EEE and WEE vaccine at least annually.
- Rabies: A frightening disease, which is more common in some areas than others, and has been seen with increased frequency across the western US. Horsed are infected by bites from infected wildlife or other animals and death always occurs. Rabies can be transmitted from horses to humans.
- West Nile Virus: A neurological that affects horses throughout the United States and is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. States with more persistent mosquito populations may require a more aggressive vaccine for your horse along with aggressive mosquito control techniques. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations.
- Streptococcus Equi (Strangles): A highly contagious disease is causing profuse nasal discharge and swelling that form in the head and neck region. While most horses recover fast from this disease it spreads quickly between horses and some horses can have fatal complications due to infections.
- Influenza: This is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the horse. Highly contagious, the virus can be transmitted by aerosol from horse to horse. Signs to watch for are similar to those in a human with a cold (IE: dry cough, nasal discharge, fever depression and loss of appetite). With proper care most horses recover in about 10 days. Some however may show symptoms for weeks especially if put back to work to soon. Unfortunately influenza viruses constantly change in an effort to bypass the horse’s immune defense. Therefore durations of protections can be short lived and revaccination is recommended every 3-6 months depending on how the vaccine is administered.
- Rhinopneumonitis: Two distinct viruses equine herpesvirus type one (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) cause two different diseases both which are know as rhinopneumonitis. Both cause respiratory tract problems and EHV-1 may also cause abortion, foal death and neurological signs which may eventually cause paralysis. Infected horses may be feverish and lethargic as well as lose appetite and experience nasal discharge and cough. Young horses suffer most from respiratory tract infections and may develop pneumonia secondary to EHV-1.
Equine Vaccinations in Prescott Arizona
If you’re interested in equine immunizations for your horse, please contact us or make an appointment today!
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