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  Discussion on Paranoid to vaccinate
Author Message
Member:
tangoh

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 4, 2007 - 11:32 am:

Okay, so here's my question. My 11 year old gelding usually gets a local reaction from most vaccines, swelling and a little stiffness which is usually alleviated with a little bute, so I have made the decision to skip his vaccinations every other year, with the exception of WNV which is a no brainer and a must in my opinion, especially in our region. And, I thought if I just give one vaccination, I may learn which vaccine was the 'reaction' culprit.

Last year was the skipped year so I gave only WNV vaccine. About 20 minutes to a half hour later he suddenly froze, legs spread, head down, started to sweat and then went to his knees, got up, staggered around a bit and was obviously experiencing a vaccination reaction. We put him by himself in a large pen and but by the time I called the vet, he was fine and happily munching his hay.

It's that dreaded time again, vaccination season. After reading through the articles this morning, it seems to me that this was anaphylactic shock? (Before reading the articles, I thought that anaphylactic shock only happened within seconds after a vaccination...I know better now) Should I have given him epinephrine? Is there ever a time when giving epinephrine will make things worse if it's not anaphylactic shock?

I would skip all vaccinations entirely except the WNV vaccine and am considering even stopping it.

This is the horse of my dreams, he's 11 years old and I am struggling with what to do this year as far as vaccinations go.

Any suggestions? What would you do this year if this was your horse?

I also read that if your horse has reacted once to a vaccination, it will be worse the next time? Is this the case??
Member:
sswiley

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 4, 2007 - 10:40 pm:

Wow, this is tough.
do you think trying a different type or brand might help? I have heard it is sometimes caused by the carrier or how the vaccine was made. I am sure someone else knows more about this than I do.
I wonder if you could give a preventative dose of antihistamine before the shot?
just some ideas . . . .
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Apr 5, 2007 - 6:29 am:

Sherri, I had the vet give my very reactive mare IV banamine when she received her vaccines. She also got a dose with paste the next day. It worked wonders for her. Last year she was very "sick" from the wn vaccine, I had predosed her with bute, but it didn't help. This year with the banamine she did great.
Member:
tangoh

Posted on Thursday, Apr 5, 2007 - 9:33 am:

Thanks for both your replies and suggestions. I was thinking that maybe an antihistamine before the shot, I read that somewhere in one of the articles here.

One thing I have decided for sure is that since a reaction is possible again, I am going to have the vet come and administer the vaccines this year. Tango will get it first out of 5 horses so the vet will be able to hang around a bit and watch for any delayed reaction. I will discuss with the vet before he comes out what happened last year and what he recommends as far as IV banamine or other pre-vaccine procedure.

Other than that, I really don't know what other precautions or preventative measures to take. I'd rather just not vaccinate at all but WNV has become all too common in our area.

Maybe I could just buy a big bubble for him for the season?????
Member:
sonoita

Posted on Thursday, Apr 5, 2007 - 10:14 am:

Let us know how everything goes. we will thinking of you and Tango. I would be scared to . I could not imagine not giving vac.
Happy Trails
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 5, 2007 - 10:25 am:

I agree your horse had a mild anaphylactic reaction and I would consider pretreating with flunixin. To learn more about the administration of epinephrine see, Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Epinephrine. Also possible is a little bit got into the blood stream which will predispose to the reaction.

The need to vaccinate will change depending many factors and your perceived risks and goals. You really must make this decision with your veterinarian. To help the article Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines an Overview specifically discusses this decision making process and the various points to consider.
DrO
Member:
tangoh

Posted on Thursday, Apr 5, 2007 - 2:31 pm:

Does the route of administration make any difference to the likelihood of potential problems? Any merit to giving it SC instead of IM?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 6, 2007 - 6:39 am:

Sherri, I would always assume the manufacture's recommendations will be the less reactive / most effective route.
DrO
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