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 »
  Discussion on Vaccine reaction or injured back?
Author Message
New Member:
amoh123

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007 - 3:58 pm:

Hi All
Just wondering if anyone can relate to the current issue with my horse, an 11yo SelleFrancais/TB cross.
Last Thursday he had his annual flu/tet jab and as he had gotten very stiff in his neck the time before last I requested it go in his rump (this was done last time round with no ill effects). On Saturday morning when I went to change his rug to go out he went bananas and when I managed to get the rug off it was clear he was in a bit of a state. He was very hunched in appearance, looking very tucked up, trembling, breathing rapidly and pawing the ground. He didn't want anyone near him and would threaten to kick and bite if approached (not like him at all). He did eat his breakfast and drank and was passing DrOppings and urine no problem. When the vet came he couldn't get near him to take his temperature but did manage to feel his loin muscles which were certainly very tense. However he walked and trotted up fine, no signs of lameness or lack of mobility. The vet reckoned he had somehow hurt his back either the day before or overnight (although there was no sign of him having become cast) and that the soreness was too far forward for it to be a reaction to the vaccination. He injected him with anti-inflammatory and gave me 4 days worth of bute and told me to turn him out in a tiny paddock. This I duly did, although it took 2 of us to get a rug on him he was so averse to being touched. However he seemed more his normal self the following day, just a bit touchy, and by Monday the only sensitive area was the vaccination injection site which was a large swelling. I could elicit no response at all to palpating his back and the hunched appearance had gone. He moved completely freely, backing up fine, crossing his hind legs over when turning in a small circle.Today I put a saddle on him and as had no adverse reaction had a quick sit at walk. He appeared completely normal. So I am back to thinking it must have been the vaccination - is it likely that he could have returned to normal 3 or so days after being in so much pain from an injured back that no one could get near him? Even with the bute? But then again it doesn't sound like anything in Dr O's article on adverse reaction to vaccines. But what makes me suspicious is that this was a different brand to normal and he does have the large swelling that he hasn't had previously. Any insights much appreciated!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 - 8:01 am:

Welcome Anna Marie Hanlon,
You describe the reactions of a horse that has become painful from his vaccine reaction, a complication that is described in the article and yes bute often resolves such problems in 48 hours. The only difference is that this pain was in the butt instead of the neck. How individuals will react to this pain is different from horse to horse however.

I am concerned about your choice of location of injection however. We do not recommend rump injections for routine vaccine. For more on this see, Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Giving Injections and Anatomy Orientation.
DrO
New Member:
amoh123

Posted on Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 - 6:40 pm:

That's actually a relief - much more preferable to months of reconditioning for a back injury! Today he is still completely normal having stopped the bute and the injection site swelling has disappeared. I lunged him in the field today and he was really striding out and carrying himself - even offering passage! So can't be too much wrong. Why do you not recommend the rump for the injection? It was in the green area on your diagram rather than the yellow one and administerd by a vet. As I said, he reacted before when injected in the neck and was rigid like a board for 2 weeks. Subsequent hind-quarter jabs have been fine . It was a change of brand this time though. What would be the best approach in future?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - 6:53 am:

A significant number of horses have such reactions Anna-Marie. For the best ways to deal with the problem see the article Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines and Adverse Reactions. Of course there are many others experiences with this problem on this page too.
DrO
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