ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Giving Own Shots

Re: Giving Own Shots

Kimberly Henneman (vuduvet@utah-inter.net)
Wed, 4 Jun 1997 00:07:23 +0100

I know that it seems easy, and I know that this opinion is coming from a
very biased source, but there are some reasons why it is best for your vet
to give the shots. You are paying extra for his or her expertise in
anatomy (don't hit any vessels and stay in the muscle away from nerves) and
dealing with allergic or other complications. Allergies may only occur in
1:1000 horses but who cares what the odds are if it is your horse...then
the odds are 100%.

What would you do if your horse suddenly had an anaphylactic reaction? Do
you have epinephrine and would you know how to give it? How about an
abscess? They cost more to treat than paying the vet to give the original
vacc. What if you put a puddle of vaccine fluid next to a nerve like the
sciatic and your horse went 3-legged lame? Would you know how to treat it?
Did you know that giving Potomac Horse Fever vacc will increase the
chances that your horse will colic by 6.5 times?

Now, another controversial option, is maybe not to vaccinate at all? Are
you really worried about the flu? Colorado is doing a study that is
beginning to look like there is no difference between vaccinated and
unvaccinated populations with regard to flu. If your horse is a gelding,
are you really worried about rhino? Maybe he already has protective levels
of rhino antibodies (a blood test would tell you). Tetanus...yup, he
probably needs that. What about EEE/WEE? They are fatal but do the vaccs
need to be given annually? Some research is starting to question that.
Rabies? In endemic areas, might be a good idea, but annually? Once again
an antibody level would tell you when it was time to boost. I am bringing
this up because the research on our little animals is starting to show that
vaccines are better than we thought (or were purposely conditioned to
believe) and most little animals need only a couple in their lifetime (if
they have normal, competent immunities to begin with). Not a lot of
research for the equine, but more starting to be done that might back up
the little animal research.

Just some food for thought...if you go ahead and give all shots...please
use a vet. Twenty dollar shots are cheaper than two hundred dollar
abscesses or death from anaphylaxis.
KIm HEnneman, DVM

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