>The local vets here in Dillon MT had a Fort
Dodge guy come out and give a seminar to the public yesterday . These are just
some of the topics that were discussed . So do you vets agree with the sales rep
?
1) The Vaccine is 94% effective
Nope.
2) It is the vets call on dispensing the vaccine (
wether they want to sell it over the counter or give it themselves)
Yep. It is the vet's call whether or not to
dispense ANYTHING. Unless he is forbidden by law to dispense it.
(Which was the case in some states prior to full licensing of this vaccine, but
is no longer an issue.)
3) 2 initial doses and then one yearly except for
high exposure horses that you travell with give them 2 doses yearly or if you
live in a high mosquito area dose every 6 months.
Seems to be the best advice so far
4)Peak response to vaccine is at 6
weeks
That would appear to be the case.
5)There have been no reported/documented cases in
foals under the age of 5 months from vaccinated mares
Probably a true statement (that none have yet been
reported), but based on very little data.
6)3 injections on foals starting at age 4
months
I'd say that depends on where you live and what the
incidence is--and what time the foals are born. eg: We foal in the
summer, at the peak of mosquito season, so there would be no reason to start
vaccinating foals in September or October (or in the case of the fillies I just
weaned, in December). If you had a February baby, and lived in a high-risk
area, then yes. Otherwise, use some common sense and correlate with peak
mosquito season, just like you would with an adult.
7) If foals are from unvaccinated mares start
series at 7 weeks of age
Makes sense.
8)Vacc. preg. mares at 8-9 months
Likewise makes sense.
9)Immunity will transfer in colostrum but not in
utero
Basically true of any sort of immunity in the
foal. I'm not sure there is actual work on this yet, or if this is just
"common sense" advice based on how passive immunity works in
general.
10)Vaccinated horses will not test positive for
WN
I'll take their word for it
11) If your horse has had a reaction to a WN shot
do not re-vaccinate
Again, common sense for any vaccine
12)Human mosquito spray ( OFF) is more effective
than horse sprays
Darn near anything is more effective than horse
sprays!
