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  Discussion on Site reaction from rabies shot
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 17, 2002 - 5:37 pm:

My pony just had his yearly rabies shot and has reacted with a painful swelling at the injection site for the second year in a row. It was his only shot of the day, so I am sure that it was a reaction to that vaccination. My question is twofold: first, is it better to treat it with heat or cold? My main interest is to relieve his discomfort. Last year, the swelling lasted about a week and then disappeared. Secondly, is there any particular reason this horse would react to a shot when none of the others in the herd do? Could it be a protein in the carrier? Are there alternative formulations of rabies vaccines that I might consider? I live in a semi-rural area in coastal California and rabies is endemic.

Posted on Sunday, Mar 17, 2002 - 5:53 pm:

Susan - where did he get his Rabies shot? The first year my TB got this shot, he got it in his chest, and blew up like a balloon. Since then he's gotten it in his neck, and no reactions at all. So, was it just because it was the first time, or because it was in his chest? I don't know. But because it was warm/hot, I cold hosed it until the heat went away and the swelling started going down. None of the other horses in his barn who also got the shot in the chest had a reaction.

As for preventing a reaction next time - since there have been occasions where this same horse has gotten a sore neck from regular shots, I have made it a point to be there when he gets his shots now and I immediately (I'm talking as the needle comes out) massage the area in a bigger and bigger circle, and take him out for a ride. This helps more quickly dissipate the medicine, reducing the chances of sorness. It works for people too- those tetanus and flu shots that hurt like heck - massage for several minutes right after and several times during the day and you're good to go!

Posted on Monday, Mar 18, 2002 - 6:17 am:

Hello Susan,
There are several reasons why one horse may react more to a injection that does not phase others. All things being equal it probably means your horses immune system reacts more to the antigens in the vaccine. It might not be the rabies antigens as adjuvants are added to the rabies vaccine to help stimulate protection.

As Jordana notes above, cold should be used early on in the swelling but most effective is bute. Next year premedicating with bute and continuing it for a few days will prevent the reaction. For more on reactions and their treatment see, Care for Horses: Disease Prevention and Health Care: Vaccines and Vaccination Schedules :Equine Vaccines
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2002 - 2:19 pm:

Hi, Dr. O. Thanks for the suggestion for next year. The swelling went down more quickly this year than last. (The shot was in his neck both times, by the way.) A little light exercise seemed to help relieve things. Anyway, thanks for the quick response.
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