Vaccinations

Troggy

Troggy

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Bit of a long one but I am after some opinions regarding annual vaccinations.

Last year Toffee had her ‘flu and tetanus vaccination as normal, but the day after she was extremely stiff, and this lasted a few days. I thought at the time it was because she had had it in her chest for a change (she HATES needles) and just gave her time to recover. I mentioned it to the vet this time and he said it’s possibly a reaction to the tetanus side of the vaccination, he will inject her in her neck this year though just in case (Just ‘flu). Toffee was vaccinated at about 9am, when I got her in about 5.45pm, she was extremely stiff, wouldn’t come to the gate etc, was very quiet and subdued and in her stable I had to empty her haynet on to the floor as she was too stiff to pull at it. It also took her a long time to lower her head to eat. She is still eating/pooing/drinking ok. This morning she was better but still very stiff to walk.

What I was wondering is, bearing in mind her reactions are getting worse each time, what are the real risks of not vaccinating? Also, she has suffered from two bouts of lymphangitis in the last year, could this be linked to her reactions? She is coming up to 19, we compete but only at local level, we are not in any riding club or affiliated body. My main concern would be tetanus, but as this lasts 10 years + in humans, is there a real need to vaccinate bi-annually for horses?

If not vaccinating is too risky, how many different brands are there for the vaccinations? Would that make a difference or not, would it be the same drug/immunisation?

Thanks
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I've heard of reactions to the flu vaccine, but not the tetanus! First time I've heard it this way round!!

I have Henry done for tetanus only, as we don't compete and I keep him on a private yard - he's done every three years (older horses maintain their immunity for much longer).

The fact that you do compete at all may mean that some venues insist on the flu vaccination (normally yearly). Ask your vet if he can change the brand, as it's the adjuvant which animals normally react to. This is the stuff added to the vaccine to make it more stable and assist its effectiveness.
 
My old boy of 27 reacted by being off and had a temperature last year, so am very reluctant to have it done this year ... not sure if it was Flu and Tetanus though
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I have heard of many horses being very stiff in the neck area, after their injection though
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ETS ... just had a look and it was Flu only
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The only risk you run is if your horse cuts itself and its not vaccinated, it could well get tetanus, which is a horrible disease, so its entirely your call.
 
With humans the recommendation now is that if you have had all your tetanus vacs up to school leaving, you are immune for life. Is it really necessary for a horse to have one every year?
 
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The only risk you run is if your horse cuts itself and its not vaccinated, it could well get tetanus, which is a horrible disease, so its entirely your call.

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Yes, he is due his Tetanus this year, so will most probably do that one anyway, it is just the Flu one I am really concerned about
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Thanks
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I had a 6 y o horse which had a reaction to prevac T given in the chest. A huge, rugby ball sized, lump appeared and he was very stiff and sore for about 10 days. Vet came back out, gave anti inflams. and I got all the costs back from the vaccince manufacturers via my vet.
Vet told me at the time it is quite common to see this, and it is most often the carriers used in the vaccine, rather than the active ingredients that cause the probs. and these differ between manufacs. so the following years he was done with different brand. No further problems.
 
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With humans the recommendation now is that if you have had all your tetanus vacs up to school leaving, you are immune for life. Is it really necessary for a horse to have one every year?

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Tetanus should be every 2 yrs ...

Also, your insurance may not be valid if your jabs are not up to date..

All mine have tetanus but not flu and if I had one that reacted I wouldn't have them jabbed especially an older horse
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A tetanus booster used to be recommended every ten years after final school vaccinations; now (unless you go to A&E and they decide to give you one), that is considered enough for life. At least, it was when I worked for the NHS 8 years ago, but it might have changed. I don't think it has ever been every two years for humans.
 
There are 4 vaccines 'brands' on the market, some are more technologically advanced than others. Each 'brand' can cause vaccine site reactions so its a case of trying to find one that doesn't. The newer brands do claim fewer reactions but every horse is an individual and can react differently!

There is one brand of Tetanus vaccine that is licensed for use every 3yrs, so if your horse does hate needles then this could be a good option for you? Ask your vet about this (if you need more info then PM me
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after my boy has his boosters every year he goes lame and stiff for about three days then seems fine again i put it down to them catching a nerve or muscle when they do it!
 
Thank you all for your replies. It may be worth trying a different brand, will speak to the vet. Good point about insurance, I will check my policy, unless anyone knows (NFU)? Interesting about the one that can be done every three years too, thanks!
 
My vet has mentioned often, bad reactions to the flu vacc, even, in two cases, death, but not to Tet. If you don't compete regularly, why not drop the Flu and just keep up the tetanus.
Horses are much much more likely to contract tetanus than humans, or most animals, because of their living situations.
 
My horse has managed to get to 30 and he hasnt had a single vaccine since he was 12....I dont agree with them at all myself.
 
my horse had a reaction a few years ago she had a very stiff neck for a couple of days vet said it was most likely due to tet part and suggested having seperate jabs when tet is due which is what he's done since and she has'nt had another reaction.Interesting about the tet vacc which lasts for three years might have to ask about that.
 
My horse reacts to Equip Pro but is fine with Prevac or Duvaxcyn. She has similar symptoms - swelling with tenderness and is stiff for a few days.
 
I think you have a number of choices, but will have to manage the horse accordingly.
Firstly, don't vaccinate at all. This will stop the reactions from occuring, but over time her immunity will diminish to both flu (particularly as new strains evolve continuously) and to tetanus (although she will be protected quite well for a good few years). If she does cut herself, or get a puncture wound or other type prone to tetanus infection, you could give her tetanus antiserum as a first aid treatment, instead.
Secondly, flu only. As others have said, she is more likely to be allergic to the medium, rather than the viral part of the vaccination, so you could try different brands of vaccine.

It would be wise to try to minimise her (and your) contact with other horses if you are not vaccinating her. If she can attend shows (and some insist on vaccs), don't let her 'speak', 'graze', don't pat other horses then her, don't put other horses' tack/rugs on her....you get the idea.
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Hope this helps
S
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