VACCINATIONS

Vaccines are preparations of killed microorganisms or living weakened microorganisms introduced into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease by causing the formation of antibodies. The vaccines listed below are tailored to our practice and geographic location to assist you in forming your own vaccination regime for you and your horse.

Tetanus Toxoid: Tetanus is a life-threatening disease that can affect both people and animals. However, horses are the most susceptible of all domestic animals to tetanus. Tetanus occurs when a wound, which can be of any size, becomes infected with spores of bacteria called Clostridium tetani. These spores are commonly found in soil and manure, especially where horses and other animals are kept. After the spores enter a wound, they rapidly multiply and produce a powerful toxin which affects the nerves and muscles. The first signs of tetans usually occur in the first 1-3 weeks following the initial wound.

They include:-

         - Stiffness of the leg muscles, causing a stiff gait
         - Ears pricked and the tail held out slightly
         - Prolapsed third eyelids
         - Spasmodic contractions and convulsions
         - Difficulty breathing caused by paralysis of the respiratory system which can quickly lead to death
         - As the disease progresses, some or all of the voluntary muscles become rigid especially which may result in the
            horse falling over and unable to get back up

The treatment of tetanus is very expensive, requires intensive management and often unsuccessful. Despite providing treatment, the condition may still end in death. Regular vaccinating against tetanus is high effective and is the only way to provide long-term protection. The vaccination regime against tetanus consists of a initial course of three vaccinations, followed by yearly booster vaccinations.

Strangles: Equine Strangles is a hishgly contagious respiratory disease of horses, caused by bacteria called Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. It not only affects the respiratory system, but also the adjacent lymph nodes. The bacteria is easily spread by direct contact between horses, and also by people, equipment, tack and feed and water which have been contaminated by a nasal discharge from infected horses. Some horses can become carriers of the bacteria and continue to spread the infection for many months or even years. Horses usually develop the first signs of the disease 3-4 days after the infection, although the time period can range up to 12 days later.

Some of the characteristics include:-

         - Discharge from the nose, initially starts clear then becomes thick and yellow or green
         - Swollen glands around the throat and lower jaw region, from which abscesses form and may burst
            producing a thick yellow purulent discharge
         - Fever, depression and loss of appetite
         - Secondary complications such as pneumonia, airway obstructions and bastard strangles (abscesses in the gut)
            occur in 20% of cases
         - Can be fatal

While most horses usually recover from Strangles, they must still be kept out of work and isolated from other horses for up to 3 months, even in mild cases. The treatment for Strangles can be intensive, though annual vaccinating combined with good hygiene and management practices reduces the severity of symptoms and also reduces the spread of infection to other horses during an outbreak. The regime for vaccinating against Strangles consists of an initial course of three vaccinations, followed by yearly booster vaccinations.

For both Strangles and Tetanus, the immunity and protection produced by the initial course of vaccinations doesn't remain constant for the rest of the horse's life. The immunity tends to decrease with time, therefore regular booster vaccinations are needed to maintain a protective immunity status. Please contact the clinic on 3425 2222 for more information regarding the diseases, vaccination information, vaccination protocols and safety policies.