Flu Vac expired, advice on choices please

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deefor

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Horse's vacination had to be done by 18th, but in my head (which I should never trust!) it was 31st and I have appointment with vet for it to be done on 28th.

So do I now have a "booster" single jab, or start the whole process over again. I've tried to do some research but got thoroughly confused...He does compete, but probably not affilated anything this season.

So from the point of view of his health / immunisation does it matter and also if he's sold, will a break in his vacination record be an issue?
 
Unfortunately I think you will have to start the whole process again. Once the date has expired your vet will have no choice but to start again.
 
You would need to speak to your vet to make sure but I think your horse would still be immune healthwise. You would be limited in terms of some competitions where up to date certificates are required.
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Your vet might be happy to just give him a booster, however, if you compete affiliated or sell him on in the future, then you'd need to start again from scratch. Probably best to do it now
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I've done the same thing myself in the past and it's infuriating isn't it
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If you know your vet well then *sometimes* they let it slip - but mostly - you'll have to start again - sorry - it's an annoying cost sometimes isn't it...I also have peas rattling round for brains and have got dates mixed up before....
 
No one's fault but mine, I think the vet sent a reminder in about May time, so I filed that with all the other non urgent paper work!!!!
 
A very frustrating situation for you, but rules are rules I'm afraid.

PLEASE do not ask your vet to back date the passport for you. This puts us in a very awkward position. The Royal College are very strict about certification and a number of vets including a good friend of mine have been pulled up on this in recent years. I'm sorry to say that doing a client a favour is not worth losing your career for no matter how long or how well you know them.

From a simple immunity point of view your horse will be ok to just have a booster. Immunity tails off with time so flu protection does not disappear in a puff of smoke at 366 days. However, if you plan to compete or take him to a racecourse (e.g. for riding club camp) or any of the big venues you will need to start the whole course again:

2 injections 21-92 days apart. (3-4 weeks)
3rd injection 150-215 days after 2nd injection (6 months)
then annual boosters after this (anniversary acceptable but 1 day over and you have to start again).
Bear in mind that horses are not supposed to be presented for competition within 7 days of a vaccine.

These are the Jockey Club rules and the most commonly used protocol. I believe the FEI may require 6 monthly boosters. Most places are happy for you to compete after the 1st 2 jabs, so you can be up and running again in a month or so.
 
thank you for the informative answer. I wouldn't ask the vet, I've seen the articles in H&H about what happens if they are caught!
 
Having been through the stress of a Royal College hearing with my friend, I can honestly say it is worse than a criminal trial (and conducted like one, in a proper court room etc)! Definitely not worth it for the sake of saving a client less than a couple of hundred quid I'm afraid!
 
My Scottish vet always said that vaccine gave immunity for 15 months. I have had horses miss by a couple of weeks and have never worried as I do not compete.

For horses in competition or going to stud I start again. I have missed one of my brood mares, could shoot myself as vet was in the yard doing blood tests when she was due. I had changed all my dates to get everyone done on two days but somehow this girl was on her own. Grrrh.
 
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