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  Discussion on To Vaccinate or Not?
Author Message
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 9:31 pm:

I have a 15 year old, 1000lb quarter horse who was recently treated for heaves a month ago.
He was given oral Azium in descending doses and Ventipulman for approximately 3 weeks. Also, it was recommended to soak/wash his hay (Timothy) and switch him over to cubed hay. The cubed hay I have been giving is straight alfalfa as a forage mixture is hard to find locally.

He is now showing signs of a respiratory infection of sorts, (snotty nose), with a cough.
His appetite is good and he seems to be alert.

He does have arthritic/lameness issues, bone spavin in hocks and sore heels in front.
He was just reshod on his front only last week with therapeutic and supportive shoeing, so I gave him a low dose bute. 2 grams maximum for 2 days and then 1 gram a day for 3 days.

The vet is coming out on Thursday for a herd health check. Everyone is getting their spring shots which would include West Nile, and 3 way shots for other mosquito borne diseases. Tetanus and Rabies would be included in this also.

If my horse is having respiratory difficulties and needs to go on antibiotics for infection,is it safe to give vaccines?

How safe is it to abrubtly take him off hay altogether and switch him to cubes and administer antibiotics all on the same day?

He had a small swelling reaction last spring on his neck at point of injection from the 3way last spring. We treated that with ice packs and bute.

He is also due to be dewormed. Ivermectin.

Myself, (Laser's Mom) is ready for vallium.

His regular vet cannot see him until the 20th of May for a lameness exam. I think he has some issues going on in the fetlock, right fore.

Hope you can throw me a lifesaver.
Susan B.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 6:41 am:

Yes it probably would be safe if the horse is without fever (afebrile) but I would not recommend it. The problem is if the horse worsens it presents a diagnostic dilemma: is it a vaccine reaction or is the infection worsening?
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 10:06 am:

Oh Susan, I'm sorry...here's a valium...I have them left over from when my horse was going "through" it...

Take good care hon... I KNOW Laser's getting the best of care!
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 11:03 am:

Thanks Dr.O
I will have him examined before any shots are given. In the meantime, I am to take his temperature twice a day.
If he does need antibiotics, when would be a safe time to give him his vaccines? I am concerned that the antibiotics would cancel out the effects of the vaccines and render them useless.
Should I have the vet do any bloodwork, would that tell them anything?
I will have him hauled down to the college if necessary for scoping, but I can't do anything until wait and see right now.

Aileen, Thanks for the valium! I'm going to need it.

Susan B.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 6:42 pm:

I would wait until the horse is well and been off antibiotics for a week or two. But let me correct a misconception, with the exception of the intranasal Strangles vaccine (Pinnacle), other vaccines are not inactivated by antibiotics: they are either killed or viruses. As to whether your horse needs bloodwork or further diagnostic work up depends on the result of the physical exam, but if this is just a uncomplicated snotty nose and cough secondary to upper respiratory infection, the answer is no and the antibiotics are probably not indicated either unless it thought to be Strangles.
DrO
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 7:48 pm:

Thank you so much Dr.O
I checked his temperature this morning and it was normal 37 degrees Celcius.
I have not noticed any swelling under his throatlatch, which might indicate strangles.
He is still looking a little heavey. He seems to have difficulty expelling his breath.
My next step would be to remove his hay altogether and replace with cubes. If this is another allergy/heaves attack, I can medicate him for such but I need to remove the source from his diet.
He is housed outdoors in a dirt paddock. He has eaten any grass that is brave enough to erupt. The fence is looking quite delectable.
I understand the importance of weaning a horse off one diet to another and we have been doing that but if the hay is the major culprit of his breathing difficulties, I would rather say no more hay.
What are the dangers of doing that?
Thanks Dr. O
Susan B.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 7:26 am:

We cover changing the forage in Care for Horses » Nutrition » Forages for Horses, an Overview. It is at the bottom of the article under its own heading.
DrO
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 8:36 am:

Had my horse examined yesterday before any vaccines were given. He seemed to be fine in his breathing and was not running a temperature. He received West Nile, 3-way, Tetanus and Rabies. I said no to a flu and strangles shot.
I will check if there is any swelling again on his neck from these shots and doctor if necessary.

Now to digest the Nutrition section.
Susan B.
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