Flu jab - neck seized up

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Christmas Crumpet

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My mare had her flu jab this morning and when the vet put the needle in, she shot across the stable. She was quite upset about having her jab but let him finish it.

Turned her out and went to give her a pat earlier where she jumped out of her skin and her neck went all trembly. Her neck muscles esp. going up her mane are rock solid and very tense. Is this likely to be a temporary thing? If I'd thought about it I would have given her a bute with her tea. She has a small lump at needle site.

Hope she's not sore for ages!!
 
Heard of this happening which is why they now inject only certain area of neck, check she can lower her neck to eat and drink and ring vet.
 
She's eating fine and I can see her wandering around the field ok. It just feels like her neck is rock solid. She reacted quite violently when I first stroked her neck but then accepted me touching her.

Unfortunately the vet has just disappeared on 3 days holiday... helpful! Will ask another vet from another practice.
 
Yes Amymay - there is only one vet. He's a one man band practice who lives nextdoor who I use for jabs etc. I use another vets practice for more serious stuff. Nextdoor vet has gone off on some fund raising mission somewhere this afternoon.
 
carolineb said:
Yes Amymay - there is only one vet. He's a one man band practice who lives nextdoor who I use for jabs etc. I use another vets practice for more serious stuff. Nextdoor vet has gone off on some fund raising mission somewhere this afternoon.
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Ah, got ya.

Let us know how you get on.
 
I insist on jab being done in chest particularly if doing twice a year no reaction normally. Just keep an eye in case it abscesses otherwise should settle within 48 hours
 
The injection site has come up in a small lump say 2 inches diameter. She is still tender on the neck but better. Vet has said bute for a day or two and keep an eye on it. She's eating/walking around etc all fine so no panic. Won't ride until its not sore anymore because its right where the reins will sit.
 
My mare was only injected in her neck once and it left her unable to put her head down to eat or drink for 24 hours after. I had to lift all her buckets up for her. After that we went back to sticking the needle in her bum as usual. It can happen the other way though too as my friend's cob had his jabs in his bum on a very cold day and was noticeably lame behind in that leg for several days after. Interestingly, I had a tetanus booster a couple of years ago in my arm and it went rigid for the rest of the day and was very sore after. Considering these are supposed to be non-live vaccines, I can't understand it!
 
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