March 2014

Spring Is On Its Way!

VACCINATION GUIDELINES: Tetanus: Annually Adult Horses Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis: Annually Previously in the Spring (+/- twice a year in competition horses) Vaccinated: West Nile Virus: Annually in the Spring Equine Herpes Virus: Annually (twice a year in competition horses) Equine Influenza: Annually (twice a year for competition horses) Strangles: +/- annually to twice a year. Based on risk of exposure. Potomac Horse Fever: Vaccinate based on risk due to location As above with the exception of EHV (See Below). Broodmares: Vaccinate 4-6 weeks prior to foaling. Equine Herpes Virus: Vaccinate at 5, 7, and 9 months of pregnancy Tetanus: Vacc at 4-6mos old, boost in 4-6 weeks, and again in 3-5 months Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis: Vacc at 46mos old, boost in 4-6 weeks. West Nile Virus: Vacc at 4-6mos old, boost in 4-6 weeks Equine Herpes Virus: Vacc at 4-6mos old, boost in 46 weeks, boost again in 3-4mos Equine Influenza: Vacc at 6mos old, boost in 46weeks Strangles: Vacc at 6-9mos old, boost in 3-4wks, boost at 11-12mos old. Potomac Horse Fever: Vaccinate based on risk due to location. Vaccinate at 5-6mos old, boost in 3-4 weeks.

How your foals immunity is different from an adult horse Foals do not receive antibodies from their mother before they are born, instead they receive it from the mares first milk. Known as colostrum, the thick yellow liquid contains antibodies which are vital for foal survival. There is a small window of approx 14 hours, to get the colostrum into the foal. After this time, the foal is no longer able to absorb the colostrum. This is why after the first 24 hours of life it is so important to check a foals immunity level. Known as an IgG test, we are able to determine the concentration of antibodies in the foals blood. If the levels prove to be inadequate, plasma is administered IV to provide the antibodies. After about 4-6 months, the colostral antibodies are gone and the foal now produces their own antibodies, which is why you can vaccinate at this point. Vaccinating earlier will not produce additional antibodies to what they received in the colostrum. Vaccinating the mare at 4-6 weeks prior to foaling results in better protective levels of antibodies for the foal in the colostrum.

<1yo Foals/ weanlings .

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March 2014

Do You Have Your Jumpers Back?

Kelda Lawlor, DVM MSc
We have all seen it: A jumper is dismissed from the ring after swapping leads behind, bucking and eventually refusing out. The rider is now being thrown from the saddle while posting at a trot yet the horse doesnt appear to have much impulsion. They dismount, remove the saddle and there it is. The horses ba ck is severely sunken behind the withers and the back itself looks like two rigid planks with the spine sticking out of the middle. The horse flinches as a brush runs absently over its back. As veterinarians, we are constantly analyzing the complex chicken or the egg model when diagnosing any multifaceted lameness, such as back pain with muscle wasting. We want to figure out what caused the dysfunction in the first place but how can we know when multiple structures appear to be involved? Sound research now shows us that loss of a horses muscular topline is often caused by disease of the spine itself. [More]

Give him a shot of Legend

As horse owners, riders, and trainers, we have all heard it, and have probably done it. But how exactly does IV Hyaluronic Acid, such as Legend (Bayer) or NexHA (Bioniche) help? HA is an important substance which naturally present in joints, and acts like grease to help joints move with minimal friction. Another important characteristic is that HA plays an anti-inflammatory role to help decrease the production and release of damaging inflammatory factors in the joint. When excessive inflammation occurs, the HA breaks down and becomes more thin. We will also see a build up of the thin joint fluid, increasing pressure in the joint. Stopping the cycle early is helpful for long term joint health, and overall comfort of your horse. Injecting HA intravenously (IV) has shown to help improve lameness, improve joint health, and decreasing the production and release of inflammatory mediators. Download PDF from Bayer on Joint Disease and Use of Legend IV

Amino Acids
are the building blocks of protein, which are used as a structural component for many body tissues; helping with building and repairing different tissues. In competition horses, support of muscle health is an important role for Amino Acids. Most adult horses who are being fed good quality feed, and who may already be on a complete feed, or oilseed meals to help supply additional energy usually do not require additional protein in their diets. In adult horses which we are trying to build some additional muscle, supplementation of an amino acid / protein source may be advantageous to encourage muscle production, and improve muscle recovery when used in combination with effective training under saddle. In young growing horses, ensuring adequate protein levels will help with growth and tissue development. Ask us about Equitop Myoplast for your horse.

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