Interesting conversation on Vaccinations!

[jelibean]

As with most horse owners, as a matter of routine care ive always vaccinated my horses, however was talking to someone today who doesnt believe in it, and had some interesting views.
Do you think theyre a waste of money? Wild horses survive perfectly well without them, Do we interfere with mother nature too much? What do you think?

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Tetanus is a must!! It is horrific to see a horse with tetanus & it is so easy for them to catch. As for Flu jabs, like it or not if you wish to compete then you must have your horse vaccinated.

 

[jelibean]

Sorry, should have added: For those not competing, happy hackers field friends ect.
I agree, you cant argue with vaccinating horses who compete / travel, that goes without saying.

 

[dozzie]

I agree Tetanus is a must and the extra cost of regular flu vaccs is negligible if you have them done together. With my oldies i dont worry about getting them done to the exact day though as i know they are covered.

However there is also the argument that probably they are covered if they have regular tetanus jabs for many years so in old age they dont need them. However i wouldnt want to risk it. i could never forgive myself if my horse died of tet because i didnt bother to vaccinate.

 

[Shannagolden]

Agree with Toby-Zaphod

 

[flowerlady]

[ QUOTE ]

Do you think theyre a waste of money? Wild horses survive perfectly well without them, Do we interfere with mother nature too much? What do you think?

[/ QUOTE ]

How would we know that they survive.

If you had ever seen one die of tetanus you would not ask that question. I saw a 5 year old that after being in a field grazing was not lame. But when his owner bought him in that night, cleaned his feet out as normal. Found a rusty nail straight through and embedded in his frog. Pulled it out cleaned it. Next morning pony ill couldn't move called vet (she hadn't had the tenenus done) within 48 hours the pony was SHOT. It was horrific.

 

[burtondog]

agree Tetnus a must so might as well do flu at same time. I used to have my last horse vaccinated against EHV as well which was quite expensive as it had to be done every 6 months. I only really decided to do that one because he was already vaccinated against it in Germany when I bought him plus lost my 1st horse to EHV. Now I'm getting a new horse I'm not sure whether to for the EHV as well as the usual flu/tet

 

[hadfos]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, should have added: For those not competing, happy hackers field friends ect.
I agree, you cant argue with vaccinating horses who compete / travel, that goes without saying.

[/ QUOTE ]
In this instance i still agree tetanus is a must,just plain old irresponsibility if this not done(i know i used to curse because after a serious incident they would give him tet again

,really used to wrile me specially when he had had his shots)However....i realised that the little cuts that we dont have the vet for are the ones we protect against!!
Flu however???I would be quite happy to not have him vaccinated for this,infact the only reason i do is because it only a few quid more on top of the tet shot(oh and if i want to show im)!!!We are all aware of equine flu and i for one keep my ear to the ground and if i chose to vaccinate for tet only,i would be keeping ear out for the flu epidemic and vaccinate as and when needed!!

 

[AmyMay]

Tetnus is a must. However, I only vaccinate against flu as the horse will go out to compete, and so has to have it.

Otherwise I wouldn't bother, and never did with AmyMay.

 

[becca114]

What views did your friend have? I know there is a debate about vaccinating dogs, is it the same in horses?

 

[Donkeymad]

Agree, tetanus is an absolute must. We however do not bother with 'flu but we don't compete etc.

 

[Eceni]

not saying you should stop your tetanus shots, but it is treatable if you get it in time - tetanus antiserum and high dose crystaline penicillin intravenously is very effective... and if you have a nail in your horse's foot and call out your vet asap (which would be wise), s/he'll give it tet antiserum and AB straight away anyway...

but yes, go ahead with tet - flu..... I've heard an immunologist say that the serovar changes so fast they're only ever covering for last season's variant, but that may not be true.

E