Tetanus jabs for foals

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Nagling

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Evening,
Our mare had a massive reaction reaction to her flu/tet vaccination last year so the vet said he wasn't happy to vaccinate her again this year incase it affcted the foetus but said he would just vaccinate the foal when it arrived. I know I should just phone him but he's so busy I thought I'd ask on here first. When is the earliest you can vaccinate a foal for tetanus? Is it something that can be done on day of birth?
Many thanks in advance
 
I have mine done the first day they're born when vet checks them over with the serum then start the course of three before they are weaned (like the first two done at least, it's one less thing to worry about.)
 
Ditto others I have them jabbed at just under a day old when they have their vet check/IgG, etc. Sometimes if the vet has to come out in an emergency he will give it to them just after birth even.
 
My vet - who I trust IMPLICITLY - advises AGAINST vaccinating foals early (before 8 weeks) as they will be covered by colostrum until then and early vaccinations can mess up their immune systems. Obviously if the mare is unvaccinated - or the foal doesn't get colostrum - it's a different ball-game.
 
micramadam said:
Majority of vets over here refuse to vaccinate before 3 months. They say that the antibodies in the colostrum will protect them till then.
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Serum, not vaccine, is used for foal whose mum is not vaccinated, as the colostrum will not have antibodies.
Though tetanus vaccine is supposed to confer immunity for the mare for three years, in this instance the colostrum may or may not have antibodies, the vet should research this for the owner.
The disease can strike at any time, and would most likely be fatal.
It is a belt and braces jab to get the serum, but vet should check foal for eye and heart and all normal at this age anyway, so a call-out is required some time.
 
All my mares are vaccinated against tetanus a month prior to foaling so my foals get immunity-transfer through the colostrum. I do not vaccinate for anything other than tetanus at that time. Any other vaccinations that my broodmares receive are given later once the mare has foaled.

In OPs situation I would make sure your foal gets the tetanus antitoxin within 24 hours of its birth and if you plan to breed the mare again then I would have the vet give her a single shot of tetanus afterwards to see whether it's the combined vaccine she is rejecting or whether she is reactive to the tetanus vaccine.
 
I would ask your vet if he can titre test the mare's bloods for tetanus antibodies as long as she reamins in range then there will be sufficient antibodies in the colostrum. I suspect that the levels will be similar to that in humans and that the vast majority of horse owners overvaccinate for tetanus. I think you will find that was she will be ok certainly for the next 3 years. I would not want to stick a newborn with anything unless I absolutely had to.
 
Spring Feather said:
In OPs situation I would make sure your foal gets the tetanus antitoxin within 24 hours of its birth and if you plan to breed the mare again then I would have the vet give her a single shot of tetanus afterwards to see whether it's the combined vaccine she is rejecting or whether she is reactive to the tetanus vaccine.
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Good advice.

You must also take into account your ground or area as some are more tetanus prone than others. With being in a predominantly dairy area it is paramount that mine are done the first day of birth. Neighbours that didn't have their foals done paid the penalty of losing three foals within weeks of being born almost together even though the cords had been well dressed. I don't plan to make that mistake and have been having mine done with antitoxin the same day of birth since I started breeding back in 85.
 
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