Routine and preventive health care is an extremely important aspect of horse ownership and includes vaccination, dental care and the implementation of a worm monitoring and treatment plan.
Routine and preventive health care is an extremely important aspect of horse ownership and includes vaccination, dental care and the implementation of a worm monitoring and treatment plan.
There are a number of diseases against which horses can be vaccinated. The most common being tetanus, influenza and herpes virus.
Tetanus is a painful and life threatening condition and its prevention via vaccination is extremely important. Following an initial 2-dose course, given 6 weeks apart, further vaccinations are given every other year. All horses and ponies should be vaccinated against tetanus, whether or not they compete or mix frequently with other horses.
Vaccination against influenza is a requirement for all horses that attend shows or competitions in the UK, or who leave their yard and mix with other horses. The initial course consists of 3 injections. The second is given 21 – 92 days after the first and the third is given 150 – 215 days after the second. Most frequently vaccination for flu and tetanus is given as a combined vaccine.
There are a number of gastrointestinal worms which affect horses, ponies and donkeys within the UK. Their control is very important and not always straight forward. It is important to treat horses as individuals when addressing parasite control. There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer to controlling worms unfortunately. All our vets will be happy to help you devise an appropriate worm control plan for your horse or yard.
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