Conference noted::equitation

    I just got the checklist from my vet. Basically, it states what he does
    and what shots he recommends(or doesn't) and why. He didn't believe in
    the Strangles vaccine. He does recommend the Potomac Horse Fever
    vaccine. Just last year a horse came down with it in Hopkinton, Ma.
    
    Jasper got his double shot of it last year (it was the first for that
    vaccine. Now every year he'll get a booster.
    		Cindy
    

    At the boarding stable where out TB is, there was an outbreak of
    Strangles about 2.5 years ago. They have been giving the vaccine
    since then. The vet that treated the horses that had it told us
    that older horses, particularly Thoroughbreds or Standardbreds who
    had spent time racing were generally immune without the vaccine.
    My Stdbred mare was stabled there at the time of the outbreak and
    she had no trouble at all, and I don't remember that any of the
    other ex-racers did either....if I remember correctly the 4 horse
    that had it were a 6 year old QH (he had the worst case but recovered
    fully), a 3 year old Morgan cross, and 2 of the barns' school horses
    of unknown origin. Since this has happened, the vet does offer the
    vaccine as an option when they do the yearlys (all 80-90 horses
    are done the same day), but we have never had it for either horse.
    He also offers the Potomac Fever vaccine, and we had that for the
    TB last year because we show him. I did not have it for the Stdbrd
    mare because she lives at home with me now and is rarely exposed
    to other horses. This year I am planning to do both for Potomac
    because both will be shown, but I don't know that anyone at the
    barn is planning the Strangles vaccine.
    

    Our horses have been receiving the Potomac for the last
    two years which was recommended by the vet but we have never
    given them a vaccine for strangles......
    
    Lori
    

    our horse will be getting EWT, flu and PHF shots.  The vet felt
    there was no need for strangles - correct me if I'm wrong, it's been
    awhile since the last discussion with him - but if the horse comes 
    down w/ strangles and gets over it, he builds up an immunity toward
    it anyway...???
    
    

    My vet recommends Strangles vaccine for babies under 4 years old, he
    says that older horses are not at a great risk if they get it, they
    recover fine. It only kills babies. Only my colt gets the shot.
    Sandy
    

    A small case of strangles will build lifetime immunity.  Most
    track/show horses get a small case that not more noticeble than
    a cold.  Sometimes it will leave enlarged lymph glands under
    the jaw.
    
    How about rabies?
    
    (Can you tell I'm an overanxious parent?)
    
    -maureen
    

    I get rabies shots for my "kids", I have had problems with raccoons
    coming into the barn after the kitty food. There was a rabid coon found
    two years ago about four miles from my barn, that was too close for me!
    My vet thinks I am a worryer too but he gives anything I ask for.
    Sandy
    

    
    When I still lived in Iowa, all my horses received rabies vaccine.  The
    county I lived in had one of the highest incidences of rabies for the
    entire country.  Plus I three friends who lost horses from rabies.  And
    my uncle lost a couple of cows.  (Unfortunately for all these cases,
    several people had handled each of the victims and had to undergo
    anti-rabies injections.)
    
    Where I am in Colorado, the local health people are not so concerned
    with rabies.  But we are vaccinated for rhino, influenza, VEE, WEE,
    EEE, Tetenus, and Potomac Horse Fever.  (I show lots so the horse needs
    to be covered.)  

	Here's the quoted prices of shots from the vet at our barn
	for this spring:

	Coggins		$20
	Rhino/flu/EWT	$40 (all combined in 1)
	PHF		$25
	Strangles	$20
	Rabies		$25

	How do these compare? They seemed a bit high to me... :^(

	Linda

Ours were $75 for 
	EEE/WEE/Tetanus	
	Flu/Rhino	
	Rabies		
	Potomac
	Coggins	

It averaged $15/needle hole

                My wife and I paid $83.  This was for all the shots,
    tube worming and Peanuts even got his teeth floated.  I'm glad
    MY teeth don't get done that way.....
    
                 Bob

    
     Don't forget to make your spring shot appointment! (8

    Um....make that 'winter' shot appointment. The weather these days,
    winter/snow will be lasting well into May this year. :-)
    

    
    My mare got her's, including Rabies, Saturday.  Vet got to the barn
    early enough the day of the blizzard to give all the horses their
    shots.
    

    My stable mates and I were recently discussing our spring shots and I
    mentioned that my horses would be getting Rhino/Flu, EWT, PHF boosters,
    and Rabies.  After I said this, one of the woman said "Why in the world
    are you giving your geldings the Rhino shot.  You really only have to
    give it to a mare."  I didn't really have any response except that my
    vet has been giving my horses the Rhino shot for ten years and if she
    felt it wasn't necessary she probably would tell me so.  Does anyone
    have any take on this?  Does anyone agree with her?  I do know a thing
    or two about horses but I am always amazed at how much I don't know so
    if anyone can give shed some light on this I would really appreciate
    it.
    Thanks
    Sam

    Sam,
    
    You're right to trust your vet's opinion over that of this woman. She
    is clearly not as informed as she should be. Rhino defintely affects
    both sexes!
    
    Rhino is short for rhinopneumonitis. Literally, that means an
    inflammation of the nasal passages and respiratory system. In other
    words, it's an upper respiratory system infection. Like human colds,
    it is caused by a virus, *HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS*, tends to be mild and lasts 
    about a week...unless there are bacterial complications like pneumonia.
    
    It is a very common disease, especially in young horses. Unfortunately,
    rhino can cause additional problems in adult horses. 
    
    It can cause abortions in pregnant mares which is why this woman said 
    you have to give it to a mare. Or the mare can delivery an infected foal 
    which dies shortly after birth.
    
    Rhino can also cause a neurological disorder in adult horses which has
    symptoms similar to those of encephalomyelitis; namely: staggering,
    lack of coordination and possibly paralysis.
    
    Since the disease can be prevented or reduced in severity by
    vaccination, most vets recommend it. From a horseman's point of view,
    it's a heck of a lot cheaper than treating a horse for the disease,
    especially in the more severe forms or in cases where pneumonia
    develops. The $10(or whatever) is cheap insurance.
    
    John