Equine Vaccinations
Spring is an excellent time to vaccinate horses against a number of core diseases. The Beach Veterinary Clinic carries PRESTIGE®V + WNV with HAVLOGEN, an excellent OTC vaccine combination that helps protect against EEE, WEE, Tetanus, EIV, EHV-1&4, and WNV. This vaccination combo can be administered to horses at least 6 months of age. The single dose is given IM and then repeated in 3 to 4 months.
PRESTIGE®V + WNV WITH HAVLOGEN
by MERCK
Tetanus Toxoid
While included in the PRESTIGE®V + WNV WITH HAVLOGEN combination, the tetanus toxoid vaccine is also available separately. This is used especially when penetrating injuries or surgery occurs if previous inoculation was more than 6 months prior.
While humans can go many years between tetanus shots, horses should be vaccinated annually against the disease. The spore-forming bacterium, Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus can be found in horse manure, so horses are unable to avoid it.
If a horse contracts tetanus, the bacteria attack nerves controlling muscles and most cases ultimately result in death. Tetanus vaccinations are readily available, and the disease can be prevented.
While many vaccinations for horses are available OTC, rabies vaccinations must be administered by a veterinarian as the disease is a public health issue.
Rabies attacks the horse's central nervous system and is always fatal. Annual vaccination is recommended.
Parasite Control
The Beach Veterinary Clinic carries a number of oral pastes that can be used to control parasites in horses:
Vetrimec™ Paste by VETONE
This oral paste aids in the control of large and
small strongyles, pinworms, roundworms, hairworms, neck threadworms, large-mouth stomach worms, and bots. Contents of one syringe will treat up to 1250 lb.
Exodus® Paste by Bimeda
This apple-flavored oral paste helps protect against large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms, and large roundworms. Full syringe will treat up to 1200 lb.
ZIMECTERIN® Gold by Merial
This oral paste helps to control Tapeworms, small strongyles, large strongyles, bots in both oral and gastric stages, roundworms, pinworms, summer sores, lungworms, hairworms, large-mouth stomach worms, neck threadworms, and intestinal threadworms. Full syringe will treat up to 1250 lb.
Rabies Vaccination
PANACUR® by Merck (not pictured)
This apple-cinnamon flavored oral dewormer is safe for use in even pregnant mares and very young foals. It is effective against large strongyles, small strongyles, pinworms and ascarids.
If you have any questions or concerns about vaccinations or parasite control, please contact the Beach Veterinary Clinic or your local veterinarian.
