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  Discussion on Are vaccinated Horses at risk from an UNvaccinated one?
Author Message
Member:
talon7

Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 4:28 pm:

In my small boarding barn (6 horses) all the horses are vaccinated with the normal schedule (Spring/Fall).

This fall, however, one of the owners of an older 22yr old horse does not want to give the flu/rhino to her horse due to some systemic issues (laminitis/loose stools, etc). She thinks adding vaccinations to the mix will further mess up her horse.

My main concern is whether the other horses, who are vaccinated and older (25+), will be at risk for these diseases, albeit in a milder form if her horse gets ill? This is causing a great deal of concern among the other owners.

This barn has clinics and haul-in horses.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 5:56 pm:

Hello J. Battersby,
Has she considered what happens with these systemic issues if her horse becomes ill? But to answer your direct question: yes, if a horse develops a respiratory virus they can potentially spread it to the other horses. Their vaccinations status will not protect them 100% to respiratory viruses. But how much risk this represents in your case is hard to pinpoint, dependent on numerous factors, and may be quite small with just a few common sense precautions. Making sure visitors are symptomless (something you should be doing anyway) and having this one mare out of contact with the visitors.
DrO
Member:
talon7

Posted on Monday, Nov 5, 2007 - 9:33 pm:

Thanks Dr O -

This helps my decision on whether or not to allow this. I am going to tell her that for the "good of the barn" (and any liability issues in my case)her horse needs to be vaccinated.

It has been suggested to give Banamine at the time of vaccination and I will tell her about that as well. Maybe it will help to alleviate any bad reactions. Thank you. Judy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007 - 6:55 am:

For more on vaccine reactions and their prevention see Horse Care » Horse Vaccines, Vaccination, Coggins Test » Vaccines and Adverse Reactions.
DrO
Member:
chip

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007 - 8:29 am:

Hello J. Battersby,

You raise an interesting Q that we can all learn from. I have no medical advice (leave that to Dr. O) but a suggestion on communicating with the owner of the horse.

Rather than tell the owner what she must do to her horse (vaccinate it), consider phrasing to say that in this barn, all horses follow this vaccination policy (and have a printed copy handy for her). In this way, the owner chooses to follow the barn's policy or to leave and you do not get in the mix of telling her what to do with her horse. This gives her a choice, and removes you from being responsible for the decisions she makes regarding the care of her horse. If she does vaccinate and the horse has a reaction, it is a result of her choice to stay - and not of you forcing her to do something to her horse.

The vaccination schedule should be distributed to all owners and to potential borders so that it is viewed as a policy and not as a control issue over the specific care for one horse.

Perhaps you were going to do this anyway - I just thought I would toss this out as I've seen this type of issue crop up in various forms at boarding barns where it turns into an ugly "control" issue. I think communication designed to give information in a professional and unemotional manner(here the policy, it applies to everyone) and then allow people make choices and be responsible for their own decisions is the best way to go.

Good luck.
MaryS
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