Horse can't be vaccinated

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littlen

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Well vet was out again yesterday to discuss vaccinating and we came to the decision we couldn't risk the flu vaccine again.

He has been done twice before with 2 different types of vaccine, both times havig a reaction and swelling. Last time his throat swelled and he also was under the weather for a week. This isn't the only thing he is sensitive too as he is an allergy prone horse it seems.

He has been done for tet but I am feeling worried about him not having flu. How risky is it not to vaccinate?
Also I don't compete but I would like to do some local endurance, will I no longer be allowed?

Does anyone else not vac against flu ?
 
my firends horse has a reaction to flu jab but the vet now gives him something esle before the jab, possibly an antihisimine?
 
Perhaps it may be a good idea to ask another experienced equine vet whether something can be given like sammiea mentioned?

If you wish to compete under rules I think you would need a vaccination card.

If your horse cannot have the flu vaccine it may be worth taking this into account as far as yard choice is concerned - put him somewhere horses are not travelled & there is a low turnover, to minimise exposure. Stay well away from other horses at competitions etc. Your vet should be able to advise on the risk and how to mitigate it.
 
I think endurance is one of the societies who want evidence of flu vaccination along with BE and affiliated british riding clubs though not 100% sure, don't know whether there would be any veterinary exemption from this though. Also anything held at a racecourse will ask for evidence of vaccination. You said his throat swelled, has he always injected into the neck or has vet tried vaccinating in the rump, I appreciate anaphylaxis is systemic but if the throat swelling was actually a local reaction you might get away with it somewhere else, and was both times the combined vaccine, think this has much more reactions associated with it than single flu jab. Just a couple of thoughts but given your situation its obviously very worrying for you given his reaction and he probably isn't at much risk from flu especially if there is herd immunity where he is kept so unless you are desperate on competing side of things I probably like you and your vet have decided not to vaccinate.
 
All others at my yard are vaccinated. We do show locally though and as I said I would like t do endurance (at the moment we are doing pleasure rides and training ones to build up to it)

the first reaction was the worst, his throat And body swelled as did the injection site. He became very letharic and was off colour for a few days, not eating etc. The second injection proved similar although not as sever, he still had to be given another injecton to get rid of the swelling as he was finding breathing difficult.
We had a long discussion today and she said that it is very risky to vaccinate a horse who has had 2 severe reactions and it may be more hassle than it's worth, she is very reluctant to try again and she is obviously more qualified than me so I went qith her opinion, I will ask about other options though!

I am just worried incase he gets flu, as I guess him not being vacinated also invalidates my insurance?
Also there's the risk with him competing etc.

It's hard to know what to do for the best!
 
Lots of horses aren't vaccinated and lots have lapsed vacinations so I wouldn't panic too much.
Tetanus is the big nasty and you've got that covered.
Best to look on the British Endurance website to see what their rules are but many societies/clubs do not require vacination now a days. (Thats a whole other argument).
Some clubs and show grounds and competition centres do require it so it would just mean that you couldn't do those ones.
Whilst vaccination is ideal you can't and it's not the end of the world.
Hopefully you keep him on a quietish yard rather than a competition/dealears/busy one? If not I'd consider a move and then really wouldn't worry too much beyond that.
As others have said maybe your vet can have a look about / do some research and come up with a solution. But if not I really wouldn't worry too much.
 
Hi
My horse used to react in exactly the same way, had to raise his water buckets up on straw bales so he could drink, off colour for a week, lethargic, swollen and very stiff neck, struggled to get him to walk round in his stable! and I now have him jabbed in the bum! The vet has also changed the vaccine which may have helped and it seemed to be a worse reaction with the two combined, but since having him injected in the bum for the last five years I've not (touch wood) had a problem, maybe worth a try or discuss with the vet.
 
Insurance wise, check with your company.
The one I know of would just place an exclusion for Equine Flu- meaning you can't claim for death or vets fee's relating to equine flu but wouldn't affect the rest of your cover.
 
The vast majority of Endurance GB rides don't require a flu vacc so do not worry, you will still be able to compete at most rides. The only ones you won't be able to attend are those where the venue is a racecourse, like Lindum or the Robin Hood Ride at Southell. Personally I only vaccinate horses if absolutely necessary, so my two that are competing regularly (and may need to go to the racecourse venues) I do vaccinate but the others I prefer not to. My older horse will be out at some EGB rides later this year and will not be vaccinated either.
 
All depends on what you want to do with him, just hacking don't bother, compitionwise, maybe jab in bum, but if he does have allergy, maybe sell him on to hacking home only.
 
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