With heavy rains in spring and summer, the prevalence of waterborne illnesses in animal populations increases. More water means more standing water, which is an incubator for bacteria and parasites.
A rainy spring and summer can cause Potomac Horse Fever to rear its ugly head early.
Watch for:
Regardless of vaccination status, PLEASE call ECP right away. Early treatment with fluids and appropriate antimicrobials save lives and money! Although vaccination does reduce the overall severity and seems to prevent the subsequent laminitis, ALL horses can get this disease.
The mosquitos and biting flies are definitely out in the summer. These insects not only create itchy bites, but also transmit West Nile and Eastern and Western Encephalitis Viruses.
Watch for:
Vaccination is very effective at preventing these diseases.
Ticks are another nasty pest that are out in full force with wet weather. Ticks transmit both Anaplasmosis and Lyme disease to horses.
Watch for:
There are no vaccinations available for these diseases; however antimicrobials and supportive care are effective in treatment and recovery.
Foals are extremely susceptible to intestinal parasites. Threadworms ( Strongyloides westerii) primarily affect young foals under the age of 3 months. Roundworms or ascarids ( Parascaris equorum) primarily affect foals between 6 months and 2 years of age. Proper deworming during the first year of life can prevent diseases.
|
Age |
Product |
|---|---|
|
2 Months |
Fenbendazole (Panacur) |
|
4 Months |
Fenbendazole (Panacur) or Pyrantel (Strongid) |
|
6 Months |
Fenbendazole (Panacur) or Pyrantel (Strongid) |
|
8 Months* |
Ivermectin |
|
12 Months |
Ivermectin with Praziquantal for Tapeworms |
* Submit fecal for egg count between 6-8 months, prior to Ivermectin
Timing of vaccination for foals is dependent on transfer of the dam’s immunity (antibodies) in the first hours of birth, and how strong the materal immunity was. Mares vaccinated within 30-45 days prior to foaling typically produce the strongest colostrum, and those foals are started on vaccines a little later to ensure they can build immunity. Foals have no natural immunity, so vaccination is very important to protect them from diseases.
|
Vaccine |
Age |
Booster (1) |
Booster (2) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tetanus |
4–6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
E/W Encephal omyelitis |
4–6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
Rabies |
6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
West Nile |
4–6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
Influenza |
6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
Rhinopnuemonitis |
4–6 months old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
Potomac Horse Fever |
4–6 monts old |
4 weeks later |
1 year later |
|
Foals born to vaccinated mares can start all vaccines at 6 months old. |
|||
Horse owners can decrease the likelihood that their horses will contract these diseases by making sure they have access to safe, clean drinking water, and by eliminating any source of standing water, such as puddles, containers with water, and fountains that are not in use.
Call: 765-494-8548
24/7 Emergency Phone: 765-494-8548
Entrance E - Equine Hospital Parking Lot
417 South Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Directions
