Vaccines

 

What Is A Vaccination (Immunization)?

Vaccination involves the injection of bacteria or viruses that are inactivated or modified to avoid causing actual disease in the horse. Two or more doses are usually needed to start a sufficient immune response. Once immunized, the horse produces protective antibodies which guard against the invasion of specific diseases. Over time, however, these antibodies gradually decline, and a booster shot is needed to obtain protection from disease. This interval varies for different diseases which is outlined in our vaccine recommendation chart below.

 

 

What Vaccinations Does Your Horse Need?

Millhouse Veterinary Service can help you design an appropriate vaccine program best suited to your horse's individual needs.. The specific immunizations needed by a particular horse or horses depend upon several factors: environment, age, use, exposure risk, geographic location, and general management.

 

 

Our Recommended Vaccination Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deworming

     Our first recommendation is a daily deworming program that would also include a dose of Ivermectin or Equimax both spring and fall. Eggs and larvae of dangerous parasites like large strongyles, small strongyles, roundworms and pinworms are ingested daily by horses. A daily dewormer such as Strongid C2X prevents internal parasite damage before it starts because the treatment is there in the gut everyday, waiting for parasites as they are ingested. Using a paste wormer every couple of months only kills the adult worms so much of the damage has already been done as some of these worms can stay as larvae in the gut wall for up to 3 years causing immense damage before they finally emerge.

 

     The benefits of using Strongid C2X daily include:

• If your horse’s intestinal system is protected from parasitic infestations it will be better able to efficiently digest nutrients.

• Improved health condition.

• Possible reduced incidence of colic and foal pneumonia.

• In a nutshell, Strongid C2X continuously kills adult worms and larvae preventing migration to other parts of the body. This is the sensible way to help prevent parasite infection and break the life cycle of the most dangerous parasites.

 

If a daily dewormer is not possible, then adult horses should be dewormed every 8 weeks rotating dewormers to prevent parasites from developing a tolerance to them.

Dewormers include:

• Strongid (pyrantel)- is effective against mature infections of large strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris, S. edentatus, S. equinus); pinworms (Oxyuris equi); large roundworms (Parascaris equorum); and small strongyles.

• Ivermectin or Equimax (ivermectin/praziquantel) -is ideal for fall/early winter because it is effective against all species of bot larvae. Equimax also contains praziquantel, which is effective against tapeworms.

• Panacur Power Pack (fenbendazole) or Quest (moxidectin/praziquantel) should be used during the spring or summer to remove encysted small strongyle larvae. Quest should never be given to a pregnant mare or to a foal less than 6 months of age.

    

Rotational Deworming Schedule Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coggins Testing

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that infects horses and other equids. It is infectious, incurable and there is no vaccination to protect against the disease.  An infected animal will remain a carrier of the disease for the rest of its life, posing a threat to other horses. According to the APHIS, approximately 92 percent of positive cases in the United States are from a Hot Zone that includes Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa as well as other states in southeastern part of the country. Identifying positive horses (by performing a Coggins test) and minimizing or eliminating contact between those and nonexposed horses can help control the spread of EIA.

Testing for EIA or a coggins test is required for many boarding facilities and horse shows. It is also required, along with a health certificate, if you are traveling with your horse across state lines. Please contact the state to which you are traveling to find what other requirements may be necessary before travel. Please do this well before your expected travel dates to ensure all paperwork will be ready in time.

 

 

Sheath Cleaning

Sheath cleaning is a very important and often overlooked procedure. Cleaning the sheath should be done at least once or twice a year, not only to keep it clean but also to check for tumors or pre-cancerous changes in the skin.

 

 

Nutrition

Nutrition plays an integral role in your horses' health from maintaining body condition, maximizing performance, promoting healthy coat and hooves, to aiding in the management of disease. The doctors at Millhouse Veterinary Service can help you find an appropriate feeding program for your horse.

In addition, dental issues affecting your horses' ability to chew and digest food can prevent even the best nutrition program from achieving its results which is why routine dental exams and dental floats are very important to your horses' overall health.