Pregnant mares flu booster

[juliehannah58]

Hi, My mare is due to foal on 20th March, she is due her annual vaccs in May. Should I have her vaccinated in the next couple of weeks to boost antibodies for the foal?

Last time she had her annual vaccination she had an allergic reaction and her whole neck seized up and went stiff for a few days, I would hate that to happen this far into her pregancy...What are peoples views on this? She is not foaling at home either, she is foaling at a small stud close by.

Any help appreciated

 

[eventrider23]

I would say that yes she should have her booster...however, given her last reaction, I would speak to the vet as you can always just give the foal his anti tet on his foaling check.

 

[S_N]

Check with your vet. Check what she was actually vaccinated with (name of the drug used), they may be an alternative. It is standard practice to give a mare a flu jab a month before her due date, whether tetanus is included in this depends on the stud/the vet/the owner/the previous jab......

 

[aimee8282]

If the vet advises giving the mare it's booster prior to foaling ask him/her to inject her in the chest, it's more 'fleshy' and less likely to react. I'd also see if you can give her a different type of flu/tet boost like s_n said. It's better for the foal to get the booster through the mare through the milk than in an injection, see andypandy's comments in breeding myths

 

[Penniless]

It's normal practice for the mare to have a tet booster shortly before foaling. The flu jab is just its annual date.