Flu jab for older horse?

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Me and H only go out hacking so have only ever immunized him against tetanus and old YO never used to get the RS ponies done as they also didn't go out.

Just wondering has anyone ever started giving it to older horses? There are a couple of shall we say horses owned by a certain type of people in a field near his but he can't touch them but others at the yard can

He also has Cushings so wondering if it's like vulnerable people who need flu jab?

Am waiting for vet to call me back later as have multiple questions but just wondering on here if anyone has any experiences?

 

[Bertolie]

I started giving my horse the flu jab about 3 years ago when my horse was 18. My main reason for giving him it was for insurance purposes and because it comes as part of a monthly health plan my vet offers. We only hack but other horses on the yard do compete.

 

[fatpiggy]

I actually stopped vaccinating my horse when she went into her twenties as each year she reacted worse and was more and more poorly after. I discussed it with the vet and he agreed that stopping would be best for her. It seems to be something that affects animals as two of my mum's cats went exactly the same way in their old age.

 

[southerncomfort]

I still have my old girl vaccinated. She doesn't go anywhere but her fieldmates do so she still needs protecting really.

 

[Gloi]

I still have my old girl vaccinated. She doesn't go anywhere but her fieldmates do so she still needs protecting really.

Same here, our two oldies are done every year. Wouldn't like them to get ill.

 

[leggs]

i've Always vaccinated my horses for tet/flu ( and rhino for the last 15yrs) + WNV for 3 yrs. Horses range(d) from 1-29yrs old.

Some years ago, where I lived at the time, there was a livery-jumping stable nearby who's owner tried to save money by not vaccinating his younger stock for flu, his policy was to start vaccinations when they came into work at 3yrs old.. When the flu virus hit the stable he lost 6 yearlings, 2 competition horses and 2 livery horses (that WERE vaccinated)

The thing is, vaccinations work fine except when you have a really high virus load - in this case from a lot of not vaccinated horses. The young and the old are then (high virus load) still not able to fight off the virus.

The flu vaccinations really only work on average for around 9 months, so to be really sure you need 2 jabs a year. I coordinate them so I do 2 flu jabs every 1.5yrs, as I never vaccinate all the shots at one time.
I also have one horse that I do not vaccinate for rhino anymore because he gets sick (temperature and generally a mess)

 

[Laafet]

I would always flu jab, but mine is now on a 5 year rotation for tetanus and he has to have it separate since he has had two massive reactions to the combined jab. I was told by a senior vet of a very well known hospital that he probably doesn't require either any more however for insurance reasons it is best to continue as we are.

 

[kez81]

My oldie only gets tetanus as he reacted very badly to flu jab previously. He reacts to tetanus too now but only mildly (high temp and some lethargy).