This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines an Overview » West Nile Virus »
  Discussion on Vaccine for West Nile Virus
Author Message
New Member:
Mtnrider

Posted on Friday, Jan 10, 2003 - 6:27 pm:

We have five horses that received the WNV shots this fall. On the second injection one horse had a reaction. At first there was a large swelling at the injection site. This was treated with cold packs, bute and later hot packs. The swelling went down but a few days later the horse could not lift his head and was in a lot of pain. More bute and hot packs and he seemed to improve. However, the horse's neck was still stiff and he did not want to bend it to the left(side of injection). The neck was ultrasounded and fluid could be seen so it was thought the abcess had internalized. Our vet tried to lance it but was not sucessful as the fluid was not in a pocket but spead over a larger area. Within the last 2 weeks the horse has started to bend his neck more but is still not really back to normal. He never had a fever and never went off his feed. If this horse ever stopped eating I'd really worry! The shot that caused the reaction was given on Oct. 2 so this has been going on for three months! This horse, El Dazo, is on pasture 24/7 and is kept here at home. I think he is almost over this but it's been a really long haul and I would like some advice on whether or not to give him a booster in the spring. He has always been healthy and well cared for. We live in Western Washington. Our property does not have standing water or a pond so here at home our mosquito problem is low but this horse is ridden a lot and of course, it is impossible to stay away from areas with mosquitos. He is a trail horse, we ride and pack in the mountains as much as possible and the horse is ridden year round.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jan 11, 2003 - 12:20 pm:

Hello Mary,
It is uncertain if the horse reacted strongly to the vaccine or if the problem was a infection, which may be a one time event. Also local vaccine reactions can sometimes be prevented by predosing with bute then continuing it for 3 days after.

I know these do not answer your question and it is impossible to know if the next time you will have any reaction, the same reaction, or a worse one. If the risk of WNV is relatively low, I would avoid it. If the risk becomes high try the pre and postinjection bute, be prepared for anaphalaxis, and if the bute doesn't control it, consider the use of steroids to bring the reaction back in line.
DrO
Member:
Mtnrider

Posted on Friday, Mar 14, 2003 - 5:52 pm:

Dr O, It has been a wet spring here in western Washington and mosquitoes are already present so I have to decide whether to give a WNV booster to El Dazo. I am hesitant but will be talking to our vet as to the risk involved. If I decide to predoze with bute how many dozes and at what strength should it be given both before and after the shot?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Mar 15, 2003 - 3:11 pm:

You will find recommended dosages for Bute at » Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Anti-inflammatories, Steroids, and Arthritis Treatment » Phenylbutazone. With the approval of your vet use the middle recommendations twice a day giving the first dose just before the vaccination. Be sure to read the whole article however so you thoroughly understand its use.
DrO
Member:
Mtnrider

Posted on Thursday, Jun 26, 2003 - 2:05 pm:

Dr O-I have an update on El Dazo and it is not good. We decided not to give him a WNV booster as we didn't want to take a chance on another reaction. He has had some off and on lameness problems since his the original reaction. This horse has always had good feet so we were concerned and had a set of Xrays taken. To make a long story short he has some rotation dating back about six months. Our vet says the timing is such that the rotation was probably part of the reaction. This was determined by the xrays and examination of the horses hoofs. With good farrier & vet care Daz should be able to return to full work but to say I am upset is putting it mildly!
New Member:
Ryle

Posted on Monday, Feb 9, 2004 - 3:58 pm:

Dr. O,
With all the talk of the West Nile Vaccine causing abortions, sterility and deformed or dead foals, has there been any recent research to prove or disprove the connection with the vaccine and these problems?
If you know of any research that can be accessed via the internet, I would love to read it.

Thank you,
Ryle
Member:
Lanna1

Posted on Monday, Feb 9, 2004 - 5:37 pm:

Hi DrO, Mary and others!

I've enjoyed reading your posts about the WNV vaccine as I too am very interested in any and all information regarding the contraversy with this shot.

I didn't vaccinate any of my herd last year simply because I wasn't satisfied with the information I had to make an informed decision as far as the safety elements when not only vaccinating regular stock, but bred or milking mares as well.

You'll have to keep up posted Mary as to the rotation you've found on your gelding?!?

Have they done enough research on this vaccine to argue that these "mishaps" that are occurring are simply a coincidence and not caused from the vaccine itself?

I've already had a difficult winter with my horses, I certainly don't want to add insult to injury - nor do I wish to put my horses at risk for the virus.

Thanks for any and all information on this topic & good luck with the prognosis of your gelding Mary - please keep us posted as to your progress in reaching a diagnosis...

Lanna
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004 - 7:53 am:

A large amount of research and practical experience with the vaccine have not found the reproductive problems with the WNV vaccine you outline. I vaccinated dozens of pregnant mares last year without a single problem. Though we get published studies in our veterinary journals, I do not know of any published on the internet.
DrO
Member:
Lanna1

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004 - 11:43 am:

Thanks DrO,

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to go ahead with the vaccine this year as my Vet is certain that it's the better risk to take as well.

Lanna
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC