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Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis - Boostering the Rhino/Flu vaccine in the Fall is necessary to ensure adequate antibodies to both viruses are circulating.

GET READY...Columbia Equine Hospital - November 2011

FALL VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS:Fall is the time of year when we bundle up our horses and shut up the barns to keep out the cold. Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality stresses the respiratory system making infectious diseases more likely to occur.

While a “standard” vaccination program for

all horses does not exist, core vaccine

guidelines should be followed to ensure your

horse is kept as healthy as possible.  Additional

vaccinations may be recommended based on

your horse’s anticipated exposure, age, breed,

use and gender.

Due to the increasing rabid bat and fox

populations in the Pacific Northwest, CEH and

t he Amer i can Assoc i a t i on o f Equ ine

Practitioners has added Rabies to the core

vaccine list. Fortunately Rabies is not common

in the horse but is is fatal and zoonotic (humans

can get it) . As horse owners and veterinarians

are constantly sticking out hands into horse

mouth, why risk contracting a fatal disease?

Rabies vaccination is inexpensive and does not

require initial boosters to be effective.

CEH’s Core Vaccine Recommendations

Spring

• Tetanus

• Eastern Encephalitis

• Western Encephalitis

• Influenza

• Rhinopheumonitis

• West Nile

Fall

• Influenza

• Rhinopheumonitis

• Rabies

Please call to discuss which vaccinations

are appropriate for your horse(s).

Cold weather brings increased

likelihood of respiratory diseases

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In addition to boostering any necessary vaccinations, you should check you horse’s Body Condition Score and weight prior to the start of cold weather. The veterinarians at CEH will help you determine if your horse is at his ideal weight. If your horse is too thin going into winter, his condition will continue to decline as he consumes extra calories trying to stay warm.

Keeping tract of your horse’s weight once you know his body condition will help you stay on top of changes that may indicate disease or dysfunction. Weight is a lso impor tant in o rder to accurately dose dewormer and other medications.

Your horse’s weight can be c a l c u l a t e d o n c e y o u h a v e measured his girth and length with a weight tape. The following formula will give you an accurate estimate of your horse’s weight.

Units are in inches and pounds.

If your horse is at his ideal weight or less, it is good idea to have your veterinarian check your horse’s teeth. Correcting dental disease before winter will ensure he is able to adequately digest hay and grain to maintain his condition and stay warm.

Pre-Winter Checklist:

•Vaccinations•Body Condition Evaluation

•Dental

IS YOUR HORSE TOO THIN FOR WINTER?

Viral infection allows secondary bacterial infection

[Heart Girth2 x Length] / 330 = Weight

Things you need to consider before winter...

columbiaequinestaff@gmail.com