Does everyone have their horses Flu and Tet jabs done?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, ive had my horses jabs done every year since he was a foal for the past 8yrs, I had to as he was showing.
Now ive just booked him in to have all his jabs and teeth done next week, but I dont show him anymore and my mum has raised a point of does he REALLY need his jabs? after all humans have theirs done every 10-20 yrs or so!

Dont get me wrong I know jabs arn't just done for the showing records and actually have a purpose but do you think they are vital?
I dont like the idea of pumping loads of rubbish in him.

:)
 
I give mine a flu and tet jab. I will continue to do so as there's 23 horses on the yard which come and go quite often so I'd rather be safe than sorry :)
 
Mine wouldn't be allowed on the livery yard if they weren't up to date and think all livery yards are the same, so guess it depends on whether or not you keep them at home.

With 2 old girls of mine who I used to keep at home and never left the grounds or came into contact with other horses I didn't have those jabs done (ducks) and they were fine! But I guess it can be a risk
 
Oh, just to say I have him at home as well, so no horses coming and going, my mother refuses to give her two the jabs as she's a big hippy when it comes to chemicals etc!
 
As others have said, due to horses moving about, I wouldn't like to risk it.

My highland is done but after speaking with vet, we've decided to leave Fidlet for the time being. We both feel (and YO) that rather than stress her and give her a bad experience, we want to let her settle in, let me work with her until she's a lot calmer and quieter and then we'll get hers done.

It is policy on our yard to have them vaccinated but YO is happy that I will have it done in due course. :) Very understanding!
 
Yes, I do. If I kept mine at home I might be inclined not to bother with the flu jab but would always want protection against tetanus which IIRC has a 90% death rate in horses.
 
When i had a horse many years ago she wasn't vaccnated and was fine. The horse I had before I sold him was vaccnated as he was on alivery yard, however they were a couple of weeks out of date so if I had shown him etc I would have had to have them restarted.
 
Well I always thought everyone got their horses vaccinated whether they competed or not. But the 7yr old I just bought hadnt been vaccinated by his previous owner nor was there any record on his passport. The lady who was selling him on behalf of the owner said many people dont bother if they arent required for competing and more so if they own lots of horses as it is too expensive.

I got his first jabs done after he passed his vetting and his second will be due soon. He's my only horse so I prefer to do everything such as dental check every year too. He also doesnt have a microchip or any form of freezemark so will be getting him microchipped when the vet comes too!
 
I would recommend vacinating for at least tet if not flu. If you are competing at anything at any level or hack in a highly horse populated area then I would get flu as well.
 
Having watched two die from tetanus and a third survive but with serious nursing I get all mine vaccinated as soon as possible against it. Flu is optional if not competing but my oldies are still done annually.
 
Both of mine are done (or will be as i has just re-started since owning her) religiously. Flu may not be quite as important if you're on your own land but IMO tetanus is absolutley essential. It's only 2 initial injections then only needs a booster every 2 years so it's not that expensive and i just wouldn't run the risk of them getting it when it's so easy to prevent. Mine get both as i'm on a busy yard where lots of people go out competing & hunting so you never know what they're bringing back :D
 
I got a new boy 2 weeks ago who hasn't had any vaccinations for the past 2 years. He's kept at home and as yet we haven't seen any other horses out hacking, we won't be doing any comps. So will I need to start his again or not bother as he's on his own?
 
My horses that compete (ie 3) are done every year my semi retired pony & horse are done every other year so they get flu & tet has worked well on my bank balance & ive never had a problem so far - ponies are all kept at home but i have many horses in to sell/break/school so more like a normal busy yard it works well for me personally and its what my parents have done for yrs with no bad results (except for the vet!)!!
 
Yup get all my lot done for both flu and tet. Have always had them covered since we got them, better be safe than sorry I think.
 
Hi, well looks like I better get him done, I planned to anyway, but after what mum said wondered if other people all bother, ive never been told that he only needs one of the jabs every other year though!
 
I've always had mine done but after this year's performance I'm seriously considering not having one who is very needleshy done. He'll have to have tet but my understanding is that that lasts longer than a year, thank God! In his case the dangers to him, me & the vet outweigh the benefits IMO.
 
Tet vital - flu equally vital for racehorses and those who compete where the Vacs are checked. If you don't need flu, then don't bother, it is a waste of time, and I have found that horses that have it, get supressed symptoms of a virus, and it takes months and months to get over, as opposed to the horse who is ill for a week or two and then recovers.
 
my pony had his flu jabs last year and a month ago is it too late to give him tis years ones? or should i just ask the vet?
 
yeap once a year, id worry to much if he didnt get it :o ... can you get flu and tet as two seperate injestions? as mines just 1 for both!
 
What causes tetanus?
Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetanii which can be found in soil and droppings just about everywhere. It survives in the environment for long periods of time. It enters the body through wounds, particularly puncture wounds if the wound is dirty. Puncture wounds on the sole of the foot are common sites of infection. Infection can be acquired via the intestines, after eating contaminated soil or droppings, through gastric or intestinal ulcers. In foals, infection can occur via the umbilicus (navel). The tetanus bacteria do not need oxygen (they are classified as ‘anaerobic’ bacteria) and multiply rapidly in the damaged tissues at the site of the injury. They produce a toxin (tetanus toxin) and it is this potent neurotoxin that causes the classical signs of tetanus.

What are the symptoms?
Tetanus toxin attacks nerves controlling the muscles of the body. This causes progressively worsening muscular stiffness and spasm. The affected horse will become stiff and have difficulty moving and eating. The third eyelid (membrana nictitans, a membrane which can be easily seen at the inner corner of the eye) starts to protrude across the eye, particularly if the horse is startled. The tail is often held out straight and the horse develops an anxious expression because of facial muscle spasm. Any stimulus such as loud sound, bright light or touch can exacerbate the signs. The horse may sweat. In advanced cases the horse will collapse with spasms, convulsions and death from respiratory failure.

Can tetanus be treated?
Most cases of tetanus ultimately result in death of the affected animal. If diagnosed early, treatment is aimed at destroying the bacteria so that no more toxin is produced and reducing the effects of the toxin that has already been produced. Large doses of antibiotics, usually penicillin, are used in conjunction with Tetanus Antitoxin injected usually intravenously and intramuscularly. If the horse is able to eat, food should be offered at a height where it can easily reach it. In severe cases, slinging may be necessary. Intravenous fluids and/or catheterization of the bladder may also be necessary. Unfortunately, the chances of recovery are extremely poor if such measures are necessary and euthanasia on humane grounds is usually more appropriate.

Wether you compete or not I feel it is totally irresponsible not to vaccinate against Tetanus at least. This is a horrendous, totally preventable illness, which normally ends in an extremely painful death for the horse. There can be no logical reason for not having your horse vaccinated against this.
 
guilty as charged. I have never had any previous horses, nor my current two vaccinated. Nor any cats I have ever owned either, yet I like to think i treat my pets very well, they all look excellent and are spoitl rotten, But now I am thinking having read all these that i am not doing the best for them.....on a livery yard with 30 plus horses and noone on my yard does...........?
 
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