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| Vaccinating older horses | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 30 2007, 01:23 PM (353 Views) | |
| JustWait | Mar 30 2007, 01:23 PM Post #1 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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This year I split our spring shots into two doses: flu/rhino last week, and Eastern/Western, Rabies, Tetanus and West Nile this week. My husband's older horse (15 or 16) still had a slight reaction after both rounds of shots (didn't finish feed, spiked a fever that night, felt crappy in general, but was fine the next day). I know there is one school of thought that says older horses don't need annual vaccinations because they build up immunity throughout the years. I'd like to get everyone's thoughts on this. I don't want to keep vaccinating one that I know will react if I don't have to, but at the same time I want to make sure we're not leaving him vulnerable. I guess we could pull titers once or twice a year (although that would probably be more expense than just giving the shots). Assuming we continue vaccinating him, he's getting dosed with bute beforehand the next time! One last thing. Do you vaccinate for strangles? I've always been told the vaccine isn't that great, but would like to hear what folks on this BB think. |
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| Damsel | Mar 30 2007, 03:07 PM Post #2 |
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Weanling
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I don't think I'll be able to answer your question, but I have a 25 year old and a 35 year old and have thought the same thing for years. I asked my vet once and she said that the drug companies never do any tests to see if an immunity has built up by that age so she really couldn't answer that. So I've always vaccinated them each year. However, my guys are at home and I never have given the strangles vaccine. |
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| IBelieve | Apr 3 2007, 07:23 AM Post #3 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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I have a 27 year old gelding that I stopped vaccinating about 3 years ago per my vets suggestion. He lives in a backyard barn where the population never changes, so he felt that it was not necessary to vaccinate him any longer. Imagine, a vet that wanted to save me some $$!!! For my own peace of mind I do give him the West Nile Booster in the spring. |
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| boosma47 | Apr 3 2007, 09:13 AM Post #4 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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My old man is 25, and I've been wondering the same thing. He has been in boarding situations for his whole life, so I could justify regular vacs., but now he is coming home, with another 25 yr old. I don't do strangles for either Old Man or Boo - she's had it, he's bound to have had it. West Nile, Potomac, rabies - yes. Flu/rhino, maybe if there's any threat of an outbreak. Guess, what I'm saying is that I'm really ambivalent
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| Ponybreeder | Apr 3 2007, 04:58 PM Post #5 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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I do not vaccinate my old horses. I feel pretty strongly about it as some older horses will have strong reactions that can lead to a founder event. The immune levels can reach a point where they are off the charts. If you really are concerned, you can do a titer level, though I do believe that is a fairly expensive test. I have done it a number of times on my old dogs so that I would not have to give rabies vaccines. |
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| Black Tack | Apr 4 2007, 07:22 AM Post #6 |
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You're BANNED!
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At what age do you stop ponybreeder? The op is talking about a 15 yr old horse (I don't really consider that OLD) My very active show horse is 17 this year so I do vaccinate him for everything, however I'm trying to decide what to do with my 23 yr old retired girl. |
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| hidden | Apr 4 2007, 07:39 AM Post #7 |
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Weanling
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I just vaccinated my 30 yr old. He doesn't get strangles because the barn has a fairly unchanging population and doesn't show. I would worry about him without it. |
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| Ponybreeder | Apr 4 2007, 11:47 AM Post #8 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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Black Tack, If I had a 15 year old horse that was still showing, I would do the vaccines that were required in order to show, but have my vet do them at least two weeks a part. I am not a big believer in vaccines, and only vaccinate my dogs for rabies with the minimum legal dosage. I use an amazing holistic vet, and he has taught me so much. Here is a little info on vaccinosis. I know that everyone will not be on the same page with me, but am happy that quite a few main stream vets are changing what they yhink about vaccines. http://home.earthlink.net/~texas2step/Vaccinosis.html |
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| Ponybreeder | Apr 4 2007, 11:55 AM Post #9 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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Here is an article about my vet, Marty Goldstein. (See, BT, you got me started!) He has just started a talk show on Martha Stewart on Sirius Radio called "Ask Martha's vet". It is on Monday night's and is really interesting. http://www.naturalchoice.net/articles/holisticpet.htm |
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| Lion1024 | Apr 4 2007, 12:07 PM Post #10 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Oh how about that. DH and I listened to his show one night on a drive up to State College. This was about six months ago and you could tell he was DESPERATE for people to call in with their problems/questions. My guess is his show was pretty new and no one really knew about it yet. He seemed very intelligent, just deperate for callers! :lol: Hopefully his show has caught on by now. |
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| JustWait | Apr 4 2007, 02:58 PM Post #11 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Ponybreeder - Thanks for the great links! Can't wait to show them to DH tonight. Earlier this week we were having a "discussion" about vaccinating the barn cats and our dog.
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Can't wait to show them to DH tonight. Earlier this week we were having a "discussion" about vaccinating the barn cats and our dog.
12:32 PM Jul 11