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  Discussion on Will Administration of a Vaccine Aggravate Respiratory Symptoms?
Author Message
Member:
Hot2trot

Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2004 - 12:08 pm:

Greetings, all. I have reached an area of contention with my soon-to-be former vet. My $25,000 show mare was put into boarding for training a few months ago. While there, she developed a respiratory infection and was undergoing treatment. The mare was on her way to recovery when my vet, on an appointment to float her teeth, decided to give her the West Nile Vaccine "because [she] was there." My mare's condition worsened, and by the next day, had developed symptoms equal to, if not worse than, the symptoms for which she had been undergoing treatment. I phoned the vet who admitted to me that she had initially thought better of giving her the vaccine, but figured to save me the cost of a second farm call for the vaccine, she'd take care of it then. The vet came out and treated the mare a second time, billing me for nearly $300.00. Granted, all this time my mare has been unable to be worked for the better part of a month, and board alone at the stable is $550. The vet feels justified in billing me, claiming that any vet would have done the same. Of course my trainer and her vet feel otherwise. Any advice on a course of action? I'm terribly frustrated and am not sure where to go from here. I'm also concerned about the potential for any permanent respiratory problems as a result of this.
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2004 - 12:39 pm:

Dawn, I can't believe a vet would give the WN vac to a horse with problems such as yours had. Unbelievable! I think I'd get a new vet, go with your boarder's vet, etc. My mare who has Cushings had a mild reactin to the vac a couple weeks ago, and other than the Cushing's she's in good health. She was very lethargic,eyes dull, etc. It's no vac to fool with and yet they really need it. For her to charge you that price - well, I'd ignore it and get a new vet. Hope your horse recovers to her normal self. Have another vet check to see if anything can be done to counteract the symptoms. The best, Shirl
Member:
Deggert

Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 2004 - 1:00 pm:

Dawn,
If I understood your post your mare was scheduled for a dental. I would think that would be contraindicated in horse with anything going on healthwise since most times sedation is necessary. The west nile was a second insult to her system. I hope everything turns out well, its hard when our horses are out of our care to control everything. Good luck
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 16, 2004 - 6:45 am:

Dawn, can you explain the exact nature of the respiratory infection and describe the worsening condition following the vaccine?
DrO
Member:
Hot2trot

Posted on Sunday, Apr 18, 2004 - 10:13 pm:

My mare had a severe cough and yellow nasal discharge...the worst case I'd ever seen. She also had a mild fever. She had just stopped coughing after taking antibiotics for 2 weeks and her nose was beginning to dry up. Within a day after the vaccine, all symptoms had returned.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 2004 - 7:28 am:

If I understand your post Dawn, the horse had become well, with the exception of a nasal discharge, when the vet administered the vaccine. I have to admit to being slow to vaccinate a recently sick horse but not being there and knowing all the details cannot tell you what I would have done.

It is also not clear the vaccine is responsible but there is a potential mechanism, coughing and nasal discharge can be stimulated through immune response and the vaccines both specifically and nonspecifically stimulates the immune system.

If the vaccine is responsible I would not expect this to be a serious complication. All things considered it strikes me the vet is making a bad costumer service decision to push through the 300 dollar charge.
DrO
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