Tetanus: A Critical Concern for Horses
Tetanus is a highly potent and potentially lethal disease that poses a significant threat to horses. The bacterium causing this debilitating condition primarily resides in the soil but can also exist in equine droppings. It manages to infiltrate the animals’ bodies via wounds and cuts, particularly puncture types in the foot area. Upon gaining access, it releases toxins that disrupt the nervous system, causing paralysis. The jaw muscles are often the first to be impacted, hence the alternative name “lock-jaw”. As the disease progresses, more muscles succumb to paralysis, eventually affecting breathing and potentially leading to death. In many cases, horses are euthanized on compassionate grounds to avoid this painful outcome.
Invisible Entry Point
While many instances of tetanus occur through visible wounds, there are cases where no observable wound can be identified. It’s hypothesized that, in these situations, the bacterium might have gained entry via the digestive system due to damage to the intestinal lining.
Duration of the Incubation Period
Typically, there’s a 1-3 week incubation period for tetanus, but it may take longer in some cases. The period between the entry of the bacterium and the appearance of symptoms varies depending on multiple factors including the horse’s immune status and the severity of the wound through which the bacteria entered.
Early Detection and Treatment
Early detection is crucial for an effective treatment of tetanus. As soon as stiffness and fever, the initial symptoms, are observed, it’s imperative to start treatment with antibiotics. However, this window is often rather short. Should the disease progress to paralysis before detection, the prognosis becomes quite grave and the horse’s survival chances drop considerably.
Temporary vs Permanent Protection against Tetanus
Tetanus is a life-threatening disease for horses, but there are ways to guard against it. Temporary protection, which spans approximately 3-4 weeks, can be achieved by administering an injection of Tetanus Antitoxin. For unvaccinated horses, this dose should be given EVERY time they suffer a wound or cut, no matter how small. To eliminate the continuous worry and occasional costs linked to repeated applications of Tetanus Antitoxin, it is strongly advised to pursue permanent immunization for all horses. This can be accomplished when the horse is three months old or older.
Initial Tetanus Vaccinations
For establishing lasting protection against tetanus, two initial vaccinations are provided. An interval of 4-6 weeks is maintained between these injections. These primary shots help build the horse’s immune response against the tetanus-causing bacterium.
Follow-up and Booster Vaccinations
After completing the initial vaccination course, a booster is necessary one year later. This helps to strengthen and prolong the horse’s immunity, ensuring it remains guarded against tetanus.
Regular Booster Schedules
Following the first booster, subsequent booster doses are needed every two or three years to maintain the horse’s protection against tetanus consistently. These intervals may vary slightly based on the specific manufacturer’s vaccine guidelines. Sticking with this vaccination schedule not only keeps the horse safer but also reduces the concern and inconvenience of dealing with potential tetanus infections.
Tetanus Protection for Very Young Foals
Very young foals are typically more vulnerable to tetanus than mature horses, mainly because they are too young to be vaccinated. Ensuring their safety involves a few crucial steps, which particularly revolve around the mother’s vaccination during the final stages of pregnancy and the foal’s initial feeding. In addition, there’s also an opportunitty for immunization using Tetanus Antitoxin for the neonate foals.
Vaccination of Pregnant Mares
One key measure in safeguarding foals is to vaccinate their dam (mother) during the last six weeks of her pregnancy. This timing is critical because it allows the transfer of protective antibodies to the foal, offering them an initial layer of immunity against tetanus.
Importance of Early Colostrum Intake
The initial feed is vital for the newborns as the mare’s first milk, or colostrum, carries rich antibodies passed on from the vaccinated mother. The foals should ideally nurse on this within the first 8-12 hours of being born to effectively receive its protection.
Use of Tetanus Antitoxin in Foals
Beyond these measures, giving a Tetanus Antitoxin shot when foals are two or three days old offers another defensive cover. This provides a temporary but vital protection against tetanus until the foal reaches the appropriate age for standard vaccination.
Tetanus: A Risk for Humans as Well
While much ado is made about protecting horses from tetanus, it’s equally important to remember that humans can contract this grave disease too. Particularly for those working closely with horses, the risk can be notably higher. This is because horses might carry the tetanus bacterium in their droppings, exposing those frequently interacting with them to the organism. Hence, anyone involved with horses should take the necessary precautions to guard themselves against tetanus.
Importance of Vaccination for Humans
It’s imperative for individuals who regularly come in contact with horses to get vaccinated against tetanus. This protective action is not just for the sake of their own health, but it also forms part of the broader strategy to minimize any openings for tetanus outbreak. Being vaccinated provides a critical defense against this dangerous disease.
Regular Booster Vaccinations
Besides the initial vaccination, it’s vital to keep up with booster vaccination schedules. Just like for horses, these regular boosters fortify the immunity against tetanus, helping to ensure that one’s defense remains robust over time. Keeping abreast with your vaccinations is a simple way to help safe-guard your health, and contributes significantly towards a tetanus-free environment.
Equine Flu Vaccination and Its Importance
Similar to human flu, equine influenza is highly contagious and often appears in epidemic form. While not typically fatal, equine flu can lead to prolonged coughing spells that last for weeks or even months. Additionally, horses may experience complications that could potentially have a lasting impact on their health. Considering these factors, it’s crucial to try to protect horses from this disease through vaccination.
Partial Immunity and Milder Symptoms
Unfortunately, vaccination doesn’t always guarantee complete immunity against equine influenza. It’s possible that during an epidemic, a vaccinated horse may still contract the disease. However, in such instances, the symptoms tend to be significantly milder compared to those in unvaccinated animals. This makes vaccination a crucial preventive measure to reduce the severity of the illness and its long-term effects on the horse’s well-being.
Vaccination Benefits for Foals
While equine flu rarely results in fatalities, very young foals are more vulnerable to severe complications. Therefore, including foals in regular vaccination programs can help provide an additional layer of protection against the disease, ultimately contributing to better overall herd health.
Necessity of Equine Flu Vaccination in Competitive Events
Equine flu is a highly contagious disease, posing a significant risk of spreading at events like race-meetings, three-day events, shows, and other equestrian competitions. Due to the high infection risk, many governing bodies in charge of such events have enforced a mandatory vaccination policy for all participating horses. This means horses looking to compete in events organised under the Jockey Club, F.E.I., or B.H.S. rules are required to have a “passport” or vaccination certificate provided by a vet. This certification provides an accurate identification of the horse and records the preliminary ‘flu vaccinations and booster shots.
Importance of Accurate Vaccination Records
Keeping precise and up-to-date records of flu vaccinations and booster injections is not just a formality, but a requirement for horses to be eligible to compete. If boosters are given at the incorrect time or have expired, the horse could be disqualified from participating in such events.
The Cost of Lapsed Boosters
If a horse’s booster injections are allowed to lapse, the whole vaccination course needs to be started again. This lapse can lead to unnecessary additional expenses. Therefore, ensuring that boosters are given at the right time can save owners both time and money.
How to Manage Booster Intervals
Managing the intervals between booster shots can be confusing for horse owners, as the recommended interval can vary based on the specific brand of vaccine used. Adhering to the correct booster intervals is necessary to comply with the compulsory vaccination regulations. To help navigate this, a tack room “health planner” can be an invaluable tool in making sure the booster shots are given in a timely manner.
Equine Flu Vaccination Courses for Horses
Starting a ‘flu vaccination course is possible for horses as young as three months old. The course entails two primary vaccinations given within a 4-6 week interval. The continuation of the vaccination process depends on the specific brand of vaccine being used, with both brands requiring differing intervals for booster shots.
Duvaxyn Vaccination Schedule
If using the Duvaxyn vaccine for your horse, a booster must be administered 6 and 12 months after the second initial injection. Following that, booster shots should be given at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Prevac Vaccination Schedule
If you choose to use the Prevac vaccine, the first booster should be given between 6 and 9 months after the second initial injection. Subsequent booster injections must follow the same interval between doses to maintain the vaccine’s efficacy.
Combined Vaccines for Equine ‘Flu and Tetanus
To streamline the vaccination process, combined vaccines have been made available that protect against both equine ‘flu and tetanus. This method ensures your horse’s protection against both diseases is maintained simultaneously, making vaccination both easy and efficient.
The Benefits of Combined Vaccines
Opting for a combined vaccine lets you keep track of both ‘flu and tetanus protection in one shot, instead of maintaining separate schedules. This simplification doesn’t just save time; it ensures comprehensive protection for the horse against two major diseases.
Additional Precautions During a ‘Flu Epidemic
In the event of a ‘flu epidemic within the local vicinity, it would be a wise and proactive step to ensure an extra booster shot is given. This additional booster serves to “top up” the horse’s protection, offering an added layer of defense during periods of heightened risk.
