Vaccinations

I have the vet (Kim) coming out March 30 to do vaccinations and anything else that is needed. I would like to have a list for the clinic by the 15th if possible so they know how much time to book and how many vaccines we need.

Required: Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, as well as Tetanus are required to be vaccinated for annually for all Hillside boarded horses.

Strongly recommended: Equine Influenza and Equine Herpes Virus (Rhino). This vaccine will help keep your horse from getting AS sick with the flu goes around, and will help protect your horse from getting the fatal neurological version of EHV that was a big issue last year (and still is present).

Recommended for Show horses: Strangles. This is one the vet HAS to give, and it goes up their nose. They do not like this. Strangles has been present at a few barns in the area and is persistent. It results in a VERY sick horse, and can be deadly, in particular if the horse has a compromised immune system. It is not recommended if the horse has had Strangles in the last 4 years, so if you are unsure of your horse's history, it is not recommended. If the horse has not been vaccinated for Strangles previously, they will need a booster a few weeks later. They can sometimes get a slightly snotty nose and cough from this vaccine.

Optional: West Nile Virus: If your horse has previously been vaccinated for WNV, then I recommend continuing with the vaccine. WNV does kill or leave mental deficits (although not sure how you would tell with some of our horses....), although it hasn't had a high incident rate in Alberta.

If you wish to purchase your own vaccines from either the vet or another source, that is acceptable, but you must let me know when you are vaccinating so I can watch for signs of an adverse reaction. I do recommend having the vet do it, as with some vaccines if the horse reacts after a vet has given the vaccination, they will cover follow up vet costs.

If you want anything else done at this time, please let me know as well.

If anyone is available to help out on March 30 with catching the horses, that would be great too!

Karen