A Vaccination Primer For Horse Owners

Anyone who expects to raise healthy livestock these days should know the basics of animal vaccination. The new horse owner should be no exception.  Here are a few basic medical terminologies of vaccination that you will probably grow more familiar with as you learn more about vaccination. These include, oxoid, antitoxin, passive and active immunity and complex term attenuated vaccines. Here is a brief overview that will hopefully get you up to speed in case you don’t recognize these terms.

Passive Immunity

Passive immunity is most often described as the amount of resistance power that the mother passes to its offspring through the first milk. Antiserum injections are artificial means for passing such temporary resistance. This important antiserum is made from the blood serum of animals that already have developed this immunity. These provide protection against canine distemper, human measles and other diseases.

Active Immunity

Active immunity describes the process of antibodies in systems that are created by the animal itself after contracting and recovering from a disease. This principle is used in the development of all kinds of vaccines.

Attenuated vaccines

All vaccines are initially produced from viruses that produce diseases in a weakened state. This ensures that the vaccinated test subject or animal does not contract the deadly disease. Only a mild version of symptoms of a disease can help ensure long lasting immunity. A virus is either dead or living, but attenuated known as the modified live virus.  Another type of active vaccine is known as the toxoid, which combats the toxins of a bacteria rather than a virus.

The Horse Owner’s Guide

Horses are highly prone to viral and bacterial attacks. These attacks are often of varying degrees, from mild to debilitating diseases. Most horse owners don’t recognize the importance of a scientific and well-planned vaccination program. This can be a key factor for the successful management of your horses. Your horses have a greater chance of contracting diseases on the move. A charted immunization program provides a basic care plan for a horse to remain viable and healthy. A vaccination program will vary depending on the type, number, and purpose of the animals reared. You will need guidance from a good vet for putting together a good vaccination program.

A Few Common Tips For The Vaccination Program

Visit your vet to get started on a good vaccination program. Your horse will likely require booster doses of vaccines. These are the most important and should be administered at suggested intervals. You should follow your vet’s recommendations carefully and follow the vaccination program to a tee.

Besides the vaccination program, you should make sure to rear your horse in a healthy environment, providing proper nutrition that helps build disease resistance. You will also want to administer the correct vaccine at the right time. A vaccination can be counter-productive if not given at the proper interval or dose.

Vaccines should always be kept in refrigerated conditions. Gloved hands should administer them. Be careful not to use expired vaccines that may not act on the animals.  Administering the injection can be tricky. Beginners often make the error of giving a subcutaneous injection in place of an intramuscular injection, which tends to defeat the purpose of vaccination.  Always give the proper doses and use a clean and hygienic syringes or disposable needles. You will most likely require the help of a vet to set up your vaccination program.

Vaccinations are to be used in order to prevent sickness or to reduce the intensity of illness.  Make sure you understand the whys and how’s of putting your horse on the right kind of vaccination schedule. This is a crucial part of keeping your horse healthy, happy and disease-free for years to come.

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