Page 38 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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VetBooks.ir PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

VACCINATION

Vaccines are available to protect horses and donkeys against a number of diseases including
tetanus, equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus (EHV) and strangles. There is also a
vaccine that is given to pregnant mares to protect their foals against diarrhoea caused by

equine rotavirus.

Equine influenza and tetanus vaccination programme

All horses should be vaccinated against tetanus and equine influenza. The recommended
programme which complies with both the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and

International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale [FEI]) rules is as
follows.

PRIMARY COURSE

Two injections of a combined influenza and tetanus vaccine are given between 21–92 days

apart. The vaccine manufacturers recommend that the interval between the first two
injections is 4–6 weeks as a longer interval increases susceptibility to infection due to

declining antibody levels.

5–7 MONTH BOOSTER

A booster vaccination against influenza is given between 150 and 215 days (approximately

5–7 months) after the second injection of the primary course. A 5 month interval is
recommended by the vaccine manufacturers for maximum protection.

ANNUAL BOOSTERS

Subsequent boosters should be given at intervals of no more than 12 months. Protection
against tetanus is given in alternate years or with some vaccines and veterinary

recommendation every third year.
The FEI requirement for equine influenza vaccination since 1 January 2005 is that a