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Re: [RC] West Nile vaccination reaction - heidiPlease Reply to: Diane Farnsworth dfarnsworth@xxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================Since West Nile is finally expected to reach our area this summer, I just had the vet give my new colt (three-year-old) the first West Nile vacine. This was given Monday morning. I went out to the barn this morning (Tuesday) and the colt was/is broken out in hives. There is no swelling at the shot site, but his entire body is covered in welts. They are worse around the head, neck, shoulders and chest. His head is very swollen, including his mouth,lips,nose,and jaw. His eyes are swollen shut-a lot of swelling around the eye area, and even his ears are swollen. There is no sign of neurological problems or any other problems. The vet gave the colt a shot to help counter the reaction (I can't remember the exact name, but it started with a "D") By the time I left the colt was starting to pick at his food. This was the vaccine from Merril, not the Fort Dodge vacine. My vet has been very helpful, but I am wondering if anybody has had, seen or heard of a reaction like this? Next, I would like to hear some opinions if I should give the second shot. At this point I am leaning toward not giving the second round as I suspect a second reaction could be worse. I would welcome any advice, thoughts or opinions. Thank you so much. It's really the pits when you are trying to keep your horse healthy and make them sick trying to do so! EVERY time you vaccinate a horse (or any other critter) you have to look at it as a risk management situation. That means that you have to weigh the risks of vaccinating against the risks of not vaccinating, and make a choice as to which is best for that given animal in those given circumstances. The first question you have to ask yourself is "What is the chance that my animal will contract this disease," and the second question you have to ask is "What will happen to my animal if he DOES contract this disease?" If the chance of contracting it is small but real, but the risk of contracting it is certain death, then odds are that vaccination is the best choice. Likewise, if the risk of catching it is high, and there is apt to be a period of illness, even if recovery is apt to be the outcome, vaccination is likely worth the risk. If the chance of contracting it is negligible and the odds of a bad outcome if he does contract it are not large, then vaccinating might be more risk in and of itself than taking your chances. But then there is a third question--and that is the one you are asking. "What if my horse has already demonatrated a sensitivity to the vaccine?" Now you have to weigh an almost certain chance of problems for your horse against the chance that he MIGHT be exposed to the disease. That, weighed against the fact that many horses that are exposed never show symptoms, in YOUR specific case, the risk of vaccinating likely far outweighs the risk of disease. If I lived in an area likely to have a high incidence, I would probably vaccinate--at least for a time, until the disease becomes sufficiently indigenous so that horses tend to have a natural immunity to it. But--I personally absolutely would NOT revaccinate a horse that had already shown a sensitivity to the vaccine. Just my nickel's worth.. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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