Do Horses Need Flu Shots?

How often should my horse have a flu vaccination? The first vaccination is followed by the 2nd between 21 and 92 days later. A third is required between 150 and 215 days after the second, and a booster annually thereafter. Please check the rule book of any regulatory bodies your horse may be competing under.

What are the most important vaccines for horses?

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.

How do you prevent equine influenza in horses?

Prevention of influenza requires hygienic management practices and vaccination. Exposure can be reduced by isolation of newly introduced horses for 2 wk. Numerous vaccines are commercially available for prevention of equine influenza.

Can a horse get the flu?

What is equine influenza? Equine influenza is one of the most common illnesses seen by horse veterinarians in the United States. It is an airborne disease that is spread mainly through horses coughing. An infected horse can spread the germs to horses that are up to 160 feet away.

What shots do horses need annually?

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.

How often do horses need flu vaccine?

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.

What are the signs of influenza in a horse?

Signs of equine flu include:

• An increased temperature above 38.5^oC (101.3^oF) for one to five days.
• A frequent dry, harsh cough.
• A clear, watery nasal discharge that may become thick and yellow or green in colour, a few days later.
• Loss of appetite.
• The horse is lethargic.
• Swollen and painful glands under and around the jaw.

Can horses be ridden after flu jab?

Can I ride my horse after a flu vaccination? The advice that we offer is that you can ride your horse, but perhaps just stick to a gentle hack for the first 24hrs after the vaccination rather than for example cross country schooling or galloping.

Is equine influenza fatal?

Horses usually recover in 2 weeks with rest, but clinical signs, especially cough, can persist. EIV can result in a secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia, which can be fatal, particularly in young horses (6).

What type of flu can horses catch?

Equine Influenza (‘flu’) is a disease that affects the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses, donkeys and mules. It is caused by several strains of the equine influenza virus. The disease is very infectious and spreads rapidly through groups of horses. The incubation period is 1 – 3 days.

What are the 4 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.

How often should horses be vaccinated?

Annual to Semi Annual. Low risk horses we recommend annual vaccination and high risk horses we recommend semi annual vaccination (2-3 times per year). High risk horses include frequent traveling horses, performance horses, and breeding farms.

What is the vaccination schedule for horses?

Broodmares should be vaccinated 4–6 weeks before foaling. Foals from vaccinated mares should be vaccinated at 6 and 7 months old and again at 12 months. Foals from unvaccinated mares should be vaccinated at 3, 4, and 12 months. All adult horses should be vaccinated annually.

What vaccines do horses need every 6 months?

A “5-way” (EEE/WEE, Tetanus, Influenza, and Rhino) vaccine is administered to 4-H, exhibition, and breeding or boarding barn horses. Depending on the risk, these vaccines may be repeated in 6-month intervals.

How often should horses get flu rhino?

Rhinopneumonitis (Eq Herpesvirus) and Influenza [Rhino/flu *]: Vaccinate every 6 months. Strangles-intranasal: Vaccinate every 12 months. Tetanus Toxoid: Give 2 doses, 3 weeks apart.

When was the last equine flu outbreak?

A large-scale outbreak of equine influenza (EI) virus in Australia in 2007 resulted in major disruption to horse activities and related industries across the nation and particularly in the two infected states (Queensland and New South Wales).

What are the symptoms of a horse with Coggins?

A Coggins Test Form
This is a virus that can cause affected horses (or donkeys) to have fevers, anemia (low red blood cell count), edema (stocking up), or weight loss/muscle wasting. Some horses recover quickly from the symptoms, which may be nothing more than a fever for <24 hours.

How long do vaccines last in horses?

Almost all of our horse vaccines last a minimum of 7 years, most last a lifetime. Many horse owners continue to vaccinate their horses too frequently because they believe that vaccines are innocuous (do no harm).

How long does the flu last in horses?

What is the prognosis for equine influenza? The prognosis for infected horses is good, with recovery occurring in approximately 2-3 weeks.

What diseases can humans get from horses?

The diseases associated with horses include rabies, ringworm, methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, campylobacterosis, cryptosporidiosis and infections with Rhodococcus equi, brucellosis, and Anthrax.

Can a human give a horse Covid?

The virus can spread from people to animals during close contact. More studies and surveillance are needed to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is spread between people and animals. People with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.