Can I Vaccinate My Horses Myself?

Assuming that the product is good, has been properly stored, and properly administered, there’s really no reason why a horse owner can’t give his or her own vaccinations.

Where is the best place to vaccinate a horse?

There are a number of large muscle groups in the horse that are good injection sites. “It is one of those personal preferences, but I recommend the neck,” Tarr says. “I have some clients that would rather have horses vaccinated in the hip or buttocks. And with cattle, you give shots high up on the hip.

What is the best vaccine for horses?

The AAEP considers the “core vaccines” which all horses should have regardless of their age or use to be Rabies vaccine, Encephalitis/Tetanus vaccine, and West Nile Virus vaccine. Many horses, based on their age and use, should also be vaccinated for the respiratory diseases- Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, and Strangles.

What happens if you incorrectly inject a horse?

Reactions at the site are the most common and can range from slight swelling to severe stiffness and even injection abscesses; they are usually short-lasting, though if an abscess forms it will need to be treated.

What size needle do you use to give a horse a shot?

1.0” and 1.5”
The most common needle lengths used in equine medicine are 1.0” and 1.5”. One-inch needles are generally used for foals and subcutaneous injections, whereas 1.5” length needles are normally used for adult horses.

How do you give a shot at home?

Hold the syringe in one hand. With the other hand, gently pinch up the skin around where you will give the shot (unless your doctor tells you otherwise) and hold firmly. Insert the needle at a 45- to 90-degree angle. Once the needle is in, let go of the skin.

What shots does a horse need every year?

To recap, your horse should at least receive EWT/WN and Rabies vaccinations once a year. In general, we recommend that your horse receive EWT/WN, PHF/Rabies, Strangles, and Flu/Rhino in the Spring, and PHF and Flu/Rhino in the Fall.

Can you over vaccinate a horse?

Over-vaccination
Giving boosters annually or even more frequently as recommended for several equine diseases is likely to be of little benefit to a horse’s existing level of protection against these infectious diseases. It also increases the risk of adverse reactions from the repeated exposure to foreign substances.

How often do horses need vaccinating?

Vaccination is often given as a combination vaccine with equine influenza. A primary course of two vaccinations is given 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster in 12 months. Subsequent vaccinations are usually given every 2 years.

Where should you not inject a horse?

-If injecting in the semimembranosus/semitendinosus (hamstrings), make sure you are standing off to the side and not directly behind the horse, as some horses will kick out. It is important NOT to administer the injection into the groove between the two muscles.

Where do you inject a horse with shots?

To locate the appropriate injection area, put the heel of your hand on the base of the horse’s neck where it joins the shoulder, about midway between the crest and the bottom of the neck. The area covered by your palm is the injection site.

What happens if there is a little air in an injection?

Injecting a small air bubble into the skin or a muscle is usually harmless. But it might mean you aren’t getting the full dose of medicine, because the air takes up space in the syringe.

How much does it cost to fully vaccinate a horse?

Our vaccine recommendations for most horses cost $127.95 for annual vaccines plus $85.50 for semi-annual vaccines equals $213.45 per year. Every horse should have a veterinary examination twice per year.

What vaccines do horses really need?

Again, ALL horses should receive the core vaccines (rabies, EEE/WEE, tetanus, and West Nile Virus). The risk-based vaccines will depend on if your horse travels, your geographic location, breeding status, and other considerations.

What are the 5 core vaccines for horses?

Veterinarians recommend nearly all horses receive the core equine vaccines: tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), West Nile virus (WNV), and rabies.

Can you use the same needle twice on a horse?

We recommend using individually packaged needles and syringes. Never reuse either the needle or the syringe, as a contaminated needle/syringe could introduce a dangerous infection to your horse.

What happens if you hit a blood vessel during an injection?

Hitting an artery can be painful and dangerous. Arterial blood travels away from the heart so whatever is injected goes straight to body limbs and extremities. Injection particles get stuck in blood capillaries and cut off circulation. This can result in a lack of blood flow, eventually causing the tissue to die.

Why are horses shot and not euthanized?

When the horse is shot the effect is instantaneous although you need to expect some reflex limb movements. Two advantages of shooting are cheaper disposal and euthanasia. It is sometimes a better and more dignified end for a horse that is very needle shy.

What happens if you inject vaccine too deep?

Injecting a vaccine too deep into the muscle.
Appropriate needle length is dependent upon the patient’s weight and gender, and using the wrong needle (or using the right needle but still injecting the vaccine at the wrong depth in the deltoid) can cause adhesive capsulitis and other forms of SIRVA.

How do you know if you hit an artery while injecting?

You’ll know you hit an artery if: The plunger of your syringe is forced back by the pressure of the blood. When you register, the blood in your syringe is bright red and ‘gushing. ‘ Blood in veins is dark red, slow-moving, and “lazy.”

What happens if you hit a bone while injecting?

If you hit bone, don’t worry. The patient will not feel it, but you should pull the needle back slightly into their muscle before injecting. If you suspect you hit a nerve, pull the needle out completely, landmark properly and try again.