Vaccinations

[Evie91]

Recently came up in conversation that an acquaintance does not vaccinate her pony.

I've always vaccinated (all of my animals) religiously. Really surprised that responsible owners wouldn't bother, tetanus is particularly nasty and preventable.

My previous yard used to insist all horses up to date on vaccs, present yard it's up to owners to decide. Made me a little uncomfortable as my understanding is, unless everyone does (for flu) then it's not as effective.

Thoughts please?

 

[teddypops]

Doesn't affect the effectiveness just because some are vaccinated and some are not.

 

[PeterNatt]

Please be aware that many dogs carry Tetanus and if your horse is bitten by a dog carrying Tetanus then your horses life would be seriously put at risk.

 

[milliepops]

Doesn't affect the effectiveness just because some are vaccinated and some are not.

depends on what you are vaccinating against

For tetanus, no - if your horse is vaccinated then it doesn't matter if its neighbours aren't
for contagious things like flu, we do depend on herd immunity helping to avoid a major outbreak. it is possible for a vaccinated horse to catch flu...

 

[Evie91]

Milliepops - that was my understanding, effectiveness depends on everyone being vaccinated.
As for tetanus; lives in soil too doesn't it?so any nick or graze in the field is enough to infect the horse? Not worth the risk of not vaccinating imo, was just amazed some seem to consider it optional rather than routine.

 

[Kezzabell2]

My vet said to me that I didn't need to worry if the pony isn't going out to comps and doesn't come into contact with animals that go out and about a lot! so he isn't vaccinated, but my horse is as he's on a bigger yard with more comings and goings

 

[teddypops]

I know a vaccinated horse can still get flu. I didn't say that it couldn't. But I'm not sure you can consider the vaccine less effective because not every horse has been vaccinated. If a horse has been vaccinated, it will suffer less and recover more quickly.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

4 horses - 1 vaccinated all it's life now in it's teens. 3 others 24yo+ never vaccinated. All live together, never seperated. Which one got flu whilst the others never even got so much as a sniffle?

 

[CrazyMare]

I know a vaccinated horse can still get flu. I didn't say that it couldn't. But I'm not sure you can consider the vaccine less effective because not every horse has been vaccinated. If a horse has been vaccinated, it will suffer less and recover more quickly.

Its a concept called herd immunity, and it is really quite important when it comes to communicable diseases (tetanus is not communicable, one horse can't catch it off another).

This site has an excellent animation demonstrating how herd immunity works

https://www.vaccinestoday.eu/stories/what-is-herd-immunity/

Here is a journal article that discusses the concept also

https://oup.silverchair-cdn.com/oup...nYRNFY39gg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIUCZBIA4LVPAVW3Q

There will always be cases of vaccination failure, and non vaccinated individuals not contracting an infection, but vaccination really does minimise the overall numbers.

Recently in the UK, the measles vaccination rate has decreased, and we have seen an increase in the numbers contracting measles. Links to articles below which again cite the importance of herd immunity.

http://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/measles

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39419976

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...s-who-world-health-organisation-a7655591.html

 

[teddypops]

Its a concept called herd immunity, and it is really quite important when it comes to communicable diseases (tetanus is not communicable, one horse can't catch it off another).

This site has an excellent animation demonstrating how herd immunity works

https://www.vaccinestoday.eu/stories/what-is-herd-immunity/

Here is a journal article that discusses the concept also

https://oup.silverchair-cdn.com/oup...nYRNFY39gg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIUCZBIA4LVPAVW3Q

There will always be cases of vaccination failure, and non vaccinated individuals not contracting an infection, but vaccination really does minimise the overall numbers.

Recently in the UK, the measles vaccination rate has decreased, and we have seen an increase in the numbers contracting measles. Links to articles below which again cite the importance of herd immunity.

http://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/measles

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39419976

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...s-who-world-health-organisation-a7655591.html

Does that make the vaccination less effective or just that less people are vaccinated so there are more cases of the disease?

 

[Micropony]

Unless a horse is known to suffer an adverse reaction I don't really understand why people wouldn't vaccinate for tetanus. It's a horrible death.

 

[Peter7917]

I only do tetanus every two years. Don't bother with flu.

 

[DabDab]

I know people that don't vaccinate, some for the same reasons that some people don't wish their children to be vaccinated (genuine concern for the macro or micro impact, whether you personally agree or not), and some because they don't really see a need.
And then there is the odd adverse reaction, which is the reason one of my dogs isn't vaccinated anymore

 

[Cowpony]

Regardless of the risk to other horses, your horse is not covered by insurance if it isn't vaccinated. That's always been enough of an incentive for me!

 

[tashcat]

I know quite a few people who do tetanus but not influenza. Tetanus is truly horrible so if someone is only going to do one, that should definitely be it.

I've always vaccinated, as mine go out and about, and I use the annual vaccinations vet visit for an all round health check and teeth etc. I don't see why you wouldn't.

 

[Nudibranch]

Quite honestly if you are responsible enough to have an annual dental and regular tetanus then the cost difference to include flu is negligible. May as well cover them as not if the vet is out anyway.

 

[NOISYGIRL]

My horse is 38, I vaccinate against tet and flu, people go to lessons, competitions etc so I'd rather vaccinate in case they bring anything back

 

[oldie48]

When my horse retired from competing and was only hacked out with my other horse I asked my vet what to do and he suggested continuing with the tet every 2 years and not doing the flu. Both horses were kept at home and although I always vaccinate for flu and tet anything that is coming into contact with other horses, I was quite happy with this decision as it meant I could pop the other horse down to the vets for his vaccination and save on the call out. Both horses had teeth done more regularly than annually (about 8 month intervals) and I didn't have to be quite as vigilent with the timing of the tet vaccination. I certainly don't consider myself a negligent owner.

 

[PorkChop]

Regardless of the risk to other horses, your horse is not covered by insurance if it isn't vaccinated. That's always been enough of an incentive for me!

This isn't actually true, though it might differ between insurance companies.

Vaccination is not a requirement for payouts on insurance. However if your horse was to fall ill with tetanus or flu you would not be covered under your insurance.

 

[popsdosh]

Does that make the vaccination less effective or just that less people are vaccinated so there are more cases of the disease?

The flu vaccine manufacturers can never keep up with mutation in the flu itself ,it will only be hit and miss ,it is up to individuals whether you vaccinate or not. obviously if you wish to compete you will have too but there is serious research that suggest we vaccinate to often. Tetanus is a slightly different scenario as its lethal .
over the years I have lost two horses due to flu vacs gone wrong and dont do them unless they are out competing.

 

[Evie91]

Thanks for all of the replies. Really interesting to read the different responses.
For me vaccs are all part of the routine maintenance, along with chiro, saddle fit, dentist, farrier, worming/counts etc . Never considered them to be optional, so it has been an interesting read but I'm far too cautious not to vaccinate!

 

[Follysmum]

Always vaccinated my horses , even the ones that are companions. It is imo part of their maintenance and care alongside farrier, mctimoney etc.

My friend learnt the hard way trying to save money she didn't vaccinate for tetanus and he died , insurance wouldn't pay , had £5000 vet bill !