Of vaccines and vaccination schedules

Rijkens' regular vet and dentist Dr. Mike Davis was out to the farm this week to give Rijkens a couple of his routine vaccinations.  This spurred a conversation about how many vaccines should be given at one time, which vaccines to give, and the frequency with which to schedule the boosters.

 Below I outline what I know to be the best practices for my horse, a 12 year old Holsteiner gelding in moderate to heavy dressage training with a full clinic and show schedule (he's off campus at least monthly).

I'll also define which diseases should and can be prevented with vaccination, and the frequency with which I have our vet administer them:

• Rhinopneumonitis, also called type 1 equine herpesvirus or EHV-1.  The vaccine is called "flu/rhino" (a combo vaccine that includes influenza) and is given every 6 months.

• Influenza, given as the "flu/rhino" combo mentioned above, every 6 months.

• Strangles, also know as distemper.  I choose to give Rijkens this vaccine every 6 months because he lives at a boarding stable with new horses coming and going often, and he also travels to clinics and show grounds where he is exposed to a lot of out-of-town horses.  

• West Nile, a type of encephalitis, is given every 6 months because the Gulf South where Rijkens now lives is heavily populated with mosquitoes.  

•  Sleeping sickness, also called encephalitis, is protected against with a vaccine abbreviated "VEWT" which includes Venezuelan encephalitis, Eastern and Western encephalitis, and the "T" means it also includes tetanus.  This combo injection called "VEWT" is given yearly.  

• Tetanus; see the above bullet.  Given as the "T" in a combo vaccination called "VEWT" yearly.

• Rabies; by Texas law horses get it yearly.  

Yes, Rijkens does receive more than one vaccine on the same day.  I ask Dr. Davis where on his neck (or other body area) which vaccine is given, then write it down.  That way if there ever were a reaction at the injection site, I would know which vaccine caused it.

We rotate the every-six-month vaccines to fall at different times so he only has to get a couple shots on any one single day, with several months lead time in between.  Common sense dictates I never schedule vaccinations within two weeks before a show or any other important off-campus outing.

Keeping the Prancing Pony happy and healthy!