52/ THE RIDER MAY 2010


WHAT’S UP DOC From the desks of Dr’s Armstrong & Frost.


HALTON EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES Dear Doctor’s;


Quality Equipment for Horsemen CUSTOM LEATHER WORK & REPAIRS


English • Western • Gifts • Novelties


24339 Hwy 48, P.O. Box 139,


Baldwin, ON L0E 1A0


Tel: (905) 722-8847 Fax: (905) 722-4155


Can you please answer a question for me? My horse is going in for training at a very large and well-known stable and in the contract it say’s ALL VACCINES MUST BE UP TODATE BEFORE ARRIVAL. And in the contract is also listed a lot of vaccines that I never do. I called the trainer and asked why this is necessary and if I do not do all of these vaccines, does it mean I cannot bring my horse in? His answer was NO VACCINES, NO TRAINING. My horse never gets sick and I think this is a lot of vaccines that he really does not need. And if I do all these vaccines why do I have to do them every year?? And what are they for??


Please help Signed


Confused Horse Mom


ANSWER Dear Horse Mom


Vaccination is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent dis- ease in humans, animals and birds. As this question is about horses let us look at the vaccinations available for horses and why we should consider each of them.


Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and eventually kills the animal. Once infected with the rabies virus the horse can pass it on to anyone that might come into contact with it. Therefore, and most important, you can contract Rabies from an infected horse. Many people have had to suffer through the painful series of anti- serum injections because they touched a rabid horse before knowing it had Rabies. Rabies vaccination is effective and absolutely essen- tial.


Tetanus is caused by a bacteria that inhabits the environment and if it gains access to the body through an open wound then goes on to produce toxins that effect the muscles and the nerves. Most infected horses die! Although humans can get Tetanus they do not get it from an infected horse but, as the horse, from their environ- ment through an open wound. Tetanus vaccination is very effective and a must if you do not want your horse to die from something that could be prevented.


www.grantontrailers.com grantontrailers@execulink.com


Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis and West Nile Disease are all caused by a virus that gains entry to the body by a biting insect (mosquito). The virus causes inflammation and swelling of the brain and frequently results in the horse’s death. Vaccination is highly effective.


Rhinopneumanitis is a viral disease that manifests itself in three


distinct forms. First there is the common upper respiratory tract infection that you see in young horses. Although the virus does not usually cause major problems in young horses it does leave the horse susceptible to secondary bacterial infections that can be seri- ous. Secondly there is the abortion form in pregnant mares where in the virus actually kills or weakens the foal forming in the mare and this results in the foal being aborted. There is little to no effect on the mare but the foal is lost. Thirdly we see a neurological form that manifests itself as transient muscle weakness to complete body paralysis and resulting death. There are two vaccines. One for the upper respiratory form and one for the abortion form. Although some vaccinated horses can get the neurological form it is felt that the vaccinated horse has a better chance of not getting this form of the disease. Finally, some horses that seem absolutely normal can be carriers of this virus and therefore your horse can be exposed without coming into contact with a sick horse.


Influenza is caused by a virus that can effect both the upper res- piratory tract and the lungs. There are some very mild strains and some very strong strains that can kill a percentage of the horses that come into contact with the virus. Horses that have recovered from an infection can not go on to become carriers of the virus but evi- dence indicates that the virus may be able to travel up to 15 km in the air. This vaccine is effective but does need frequent boosters when the risk of exposure is high.


RICHVALE SADDLERY 7195 Hwy 9, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0 905-939-1076


Leaders in Saddlery Solutions


• Total Saddlery Solutions including Saddle Fittings, Repairs and Alterations, Custom Saddles


• Tack Repairs and Alterations, • Boot Repairs • Custom Leather Work, Custom Coolers • Custom and Ready-made Chaps


www.richvalesaddlery.com Email: info@intercityinsurance.com


Strangles is a bacterial disease that initially infects the upper respiratory tract and then goes on to cause abscessing of the glands between the lower jaw. Strangles is very contagious and can easily be spread by people on their boots, cloths or hands. Unfortunately in a few horses the bacterial gets away from the throat area and causes abscess in other parts of the body often in vital organs with the resulting death of the horse. The current vaccine is effective at considerably less reactive on the horse than previous vaccines.


Our current arsenal of vaccines are more effective than those of the past and tend to cause fewer reactions when given. We often spread the vaccination process over two or more episodes to reduce the stress on the horse.


The main message then is that vaccination is the least expensive protec- tion from disease avail- able to the horse owner and certainly much more economical than treating a sick horse, missing shows or races and finally loos- ing the horse.


Do you have a ques- tion to Ask The Doc? Call (905) 659-4387 or email to: info@hevs.ca, visit www.hevs.ca or email The Rider at barry@therider.com


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