Maybe, just maybe, spring is finally coming. Most livestock owners are going to be very happy to leave this past winter behind. With the onset of warmer weather, many horse owners start planning outdoor activities and breeding mares for next year. With this in mind, I thought I would cover some basic health tips for horses.
Generally, the first thing owners think about getting done is vaccinating their horse. My recommendation for the average pleasure horse is to get yearly boosters with a multivalent vaccine that includes tetanus, influenza, rhinopneumonitis, Eastern (EEE) and Western equine encephalitis (WEE).
Here in the Midwest, these are some of the most common disease conditions with which horses come in contact. If your horse has not been previously vaccinated for these diseases, a booster given approximately 3 to 4 weeks following the original vaccination is required for the animal to develop any long term immunity. In addition to the “five way” vaccine, I strongly recommend vaccinating for West Nile virus. I see cases of this disease every year, and with the number of mosquitoes in southwest Missouri, protection against this disease should be a no brainer. Again, a booster is required if your horse has not been previously vaccinated.
Another disease familiar to horse owners is Strangles. This is a Streptococcal infection of the laryngeal lymph nodes and surrounding tissue that can be quite contagious. I recommend this vaccine especially for horses that come in contact with multiple horses, such as shows, rodeos and breeding farms.
If you are planning to travel, sit down with your veterinarian ahead of time to determine if any additional vaccinations would be recommended.
I have started getting many calls at the office requesting Coggins testing, but a lot of horse owners are unsure what this test detects. A Coggins test is used to detect equine infectious anemia (EIA), which is caused by a virus spread by bloodsucking insects, such as horseflies. There is no treatment or vaccine for EIA, and the disease can kill horses acutely infected. EIA, also known as “swamp fever." is very contagious within a group of horses, as biting insects move from animal to animal in a group to take a blood meal. Federal law requires horses to have a negative Coggins test to move across state lines. Generally, tests are required yearly.
When deworming, sit down with your veterinarian and develop a plan that will be most effective for your herd. Variables such as number of horses, concentration of horses on pastures and travel plans impact deworming intervals. It is not wise, in my opinion, to alternate dewormers more frequently than yearly. Research would indicate this may lead to more parasite resistance over time.
A good relationship with your veterinarian can make this information easier to understand. A healthy horse makes the upcoming warmer weather even more enjoyable.
Mike Bloss, DVM, owns Countryside Animal Clinic with his wife, Kristin Bloss, DVM, in Aurora, Mo.
