EHV Vaccinations - do you?

[JanetGeorge]

As the title. We DO vaccinate against EHV - but the cost mounts up with 14 broodies this year. I don't THINK cutting it out is a sensible risk - but interested to hear other opinions.

 

[Anastasia]

Yes we do it each year. It may be costly, but not if it gets into your stud and gets round your whole herd! We were also contemplating vaccinating against the rotavirus as well, although too late to start doing it this last year.

 

[springfallstud]

Yes we do like Anatasia says not worth the risk.

 

[christine48]

What's the rotavirus?

 

[Anastasia]

This is a very common virus that is very resistant to disinfectants and can live in the soil for over 9 months. It is therefore very difficult to eradicate. It is the most common cause of diarrhoea in foals (30-60% of foals with diarrhoea have rotavirus). The younger the foal the potentially more serious the condition, and without aggressive, expensive treatment the disease is often fatal. Rotavirus can also cause a respiratory disease, if the foal shows both forms together, then the outlook is often bleak.

Mares have to be vaccinated three times during their pregnancy and the foal then received the benefits through the colostrum.

 

[Penniless]

A while ago we asked "Twink" Allen about this, and he told us not to bother with it. We just do swabs, and jabs for whatever is necessary that year as dictated to us by the TBA and Jockey Club.