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  Discussion on WNV warning for pregnant mares?
Author Message
Member:
Jerre

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 - 4:06 am:

I saw this Associated Press story, and wondered if anyone has heard anything similar:

"Colorado's top veterinarian is calling for warning labels on vials of the West Nile horse vaccination after reports of stillbirths, deformities and miscarriages.
State veterinarian Wayne Cunningham, Colorado State University veterinarians and horse owners have reported the problems to the vaccine's manufacturer, Fort Dodge Animal Health of Overland Park, Kan., and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which approved the product.
``I think a warning label, at this point, would be prudent,'' Cunningham said. ``One of the things I see if they don't take that kind of step, the rumor mill will be running so high, it will be condemned as a vaccine that cannot be used in pregnant mares.''
Kim Smith, spokesman with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it's too early to blame the vaccine for the problems. He said the information could warrant an investigation.
After reports from Midwest horse owners, Fort Dodge updated its Web site to say the drug had not been approved for use in pregnant horses."

On a personal note, my mare was vaccinated twice in the fall and boosted this spring -- pregnant the whole time, unbeknownst to anyone -- with no apparent ill effects. We have a very active, healthy, problem-free foal.

Jerre
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 - 10:27 am:

Two cents.....

My friend's pregnant mare was vaccinated for WNV and gave birth to a live foal, however, she died minutes after being born. She had swollen gums and a black tongue. Necropsy could not be validated. They "think" it "could" have something to do with the immunization but cannot be sure.

The mare foundered terribly after giving birth, but is slowly making her way back. The vet says other than the founder, the mare is fine.

Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003 - 9:58 pm:

My mare was vaccinated for WNV while preg. with no ill effects to the mare or foal. The vet was reluctant to vaccinate at first but decided to go ahead.

Jerre, My vet vaccinated my horses for the first time after the news of WNV and told me to vaccinate (booster) one month later then once a year. I even picked up the vacc. and did it myself for the booster. I am curious why you vacc. twice in the fall then a booster in the spring. I know WNV is new and there is not alot of research, but is everyone vaccinating differently?
Member:
Jerre

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2003 - 2:31 am:

Colleen, West Nile was just getting to Washington state last year -- I think just one horse in the fall. So my vet wanted the horses well-started and then boosted in the spring before mosquito season. A lot of people here just started this spring. We can't vaccinate ourselves -- it's only available from the vet so far. I guess from now on it will be a spring vaccination.
Jerre
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 18, 2003 - 6:03 am:

Last month I had received several emails that reports on problems in pregnant mares in CO was being generated. Because this seems to be a common phase all new products go through, at least those with rapid wide spread use, and because thousands of pregnant mares have been vaccinated now without any specific problems reported, I am skeptical but that does not mean we should be nonvigilant.

Currently, the West Nile -Innovator vaccine does not carry a claim for vaccination of pregnant mares. Both research and experience has shown that if there is a increased risk to pregnant mares it appears to be very low. This information must be balanced against the risk of disease. With WNV in the immediate area and it being mosquito season, I am vaccinating pregnant mares but everyone must make this decision for themselves at this time, understanding we do not have a 100% certifiable answer to this question. I know I have done a few dozen pregnant mares myself without trouble.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 3:21 pm:

Dr. O,

I found this site...could you please review and let us know your thoughts? Caution...It is highly disturbing. I just cried.

Thank you!

https://lost-foals-group.4t.com/photo6.html
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 4:35 pm:

wow,
After reading that, I would not even think about giving west Nile shots to brood mares. Very scary. I hope they put warnings out soon.
Member:
Jimhug

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 5:36 pm:

I have 3 very healthy foals this year from mares who were all vaccinated with WNV. At this point, I will continue to vaccinate. Nothing has been definately confirmed as a WNV problem and I believe that the numbers on this site alone will show that the vast majority of foals this year from WNV vaccinated mares were born healthy. Personally, even if there is a small chance of problems with the vaccination, I would run that risk versus risking the loss of my broodmare.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 5:45 pm:

will agree with James... i had a healthy foal this year and i vacinated my mare in the last month too..

one out of one this year for me.. good odds..

Ann
Member:
Kathleen

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 5:49 pm:

There is a new discussion about WNV on AOL on the Horse Boards. It was set up by AOL to give everyone a chance to discuss this topic.
Kathleen
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 6:24 pm:

Welcome to the internet guys. Personally I consider reports like the one above of no value in making a decision to vaccinate or not. The problem with reports like this are too numerous to list all of them but here are the big ones:
  • The biggest problem is obvious: there is no objective support for the idea that this vaccine is more dangerous than the regular vaccines we use commonly in pregnant mares. In fact the research and experience suggest this is a relatively safe vaccine.
  • We have no way way to verify these statements. Anyone with who knows what axe to grind can post there and there are plenty who love to poke big drug companies.
  • For those who accurately portray their experiences it has to be remembered these type incidents were all happening before there was a WNV vaccine. It has been my experience to see a number of new products attacked when misfortune occurs but with the fullness of time and experience obviously had nothing to do with the product. I personally knew 2 different horsemen who tried to sue Merck when ivermectin was first introduced as being too toxic to use.
No vaccine is completley safe but with over 15,000 cases of WNV in horses documented last year and record rain in the east and already a sign (6 EEE cases on the coast already this year) there will be increased numbers of mosquito transmitted viral encephalitis cases...my pregnant mares were and will be vaccinated this year.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 6:41 pm:

Thanks so much Dr. O. for your opinion. I thought perhaps that may be the case here, but I wanted to be sure. Thank goodness I have a gelding.

And thank you for providing this site to help this neurotic horse owner who questions EVERYTHING
Member:
Maureen

Posted on Monday, Jun 30, 2003 - 8:40 pm:

I live in East Texas.There are three cases of WNV in the county next to me.

My horses are current on their vaccinations.
However....
Is once a year vaccination enough or should I give them a shot more often, say every 6 months?

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 1, 2003 - 9:56 am:

The article on WNV addresses this is some detail Maureen.
DrO
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