Vaccination Schedule

The following are generalized recommendations based on our climate. You specific needs will depend on the herd and individual activity levels and age of your horses. Vaccinations are crucial not only for the health of your horse but your family too.

Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis,  West Nile Virus

    Due to prevalence of mosquitoes  in our area semiannual vaccination or more often up to three or four times yearly depending on your situation is needed.

Tetanus Toxoid

    We recommend twice yearly boosters due to the presence of the tetanus organism in our environment and the nature of horses to obtain small cuts on unknown objects which could harbor the organism.

Influenza

    There are two different types of vaccination; intramuscular and intranasal. Depending on your contact with other horses you may be protected by twice yearly intramuscular vaccination or you may need to switch to intranasal protection or increase the frequency of injections to four to six times yearly.

Rhinopneumonitis (Equine Herpesvirus Types 1 and 4)

    There are three main forms of disease from this virus; respiratory, neurologic, and reproductive. Our available vaccines will only protect against the respiratory and reproductive forms. They need to be given twice yearly to most horses.

    Pregnant mares should receive a booster in a version called Pneumobort K to protect against abortion caused by virus strain 1 in the fifth, seventh, and ninth months of pregnancy.

Rabies

    Rabies is an endemic (meaning exists in our area naturally) virus to North Carolina and due to the health risks to people and pets vaccination is recommended for horses once yearly.

Strangles

    This is a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract that is highly contagious and can cause very serious complications in those animals affected. Predominately a disease of the young and very old this vaccine may be recommended depending on your particular circumstances.

Coggins

    Coggins testing assesses the blood of your horse for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). EIA is a virus that is transmitted by horseflies.  It is not treatable, and is eventually fatal.  The laws of our state require that any horse that is transported off of your property for any reason have a negative Coggins test for EIA completed within the previous 12 months.  The state can issue a sizable fine for noncompliance.  Furthermore, most shows and organized trail rides carefully scrutinize your Coggins form to ensure that your horse is the same horse that was tested.  To avoid last minute hassles, please schedule your appointment to have your Coggins test two weeks before you need the results.  In some instances, we can hasten the return of your test results.  Please call us for more information or to make an appointment.

Deworming Protocols

Type 1: Every Two Months with Rotation of Products: Routine Schedule

    Jan/Feb    Quest Plus/Ivermectin Combination Product

    Mar/Apr    Panacur (Fenbendazole)/ Safeguard

    May/June  Ivermectin

    July/Aug    Strongid-Double dose (twice body weight) for tapeworms

    Sep/Oct    Quest Plus/Ivermectin Combination Product

    Nov/Dec    Panacur (Fenbendazole)/ Safeguard

Type 2: Every Six Weeks for Horses/Barns with Parasite Problem: Intensive Schedule

    Jan (6 weeks)   

    March               Quest Plus

    May (6 weeks)   Ivermectin

    June                 Quest Plus

    Aug (6 weeks)    Panacur (Fenbendazole)/ Safeguard

    Sept                 Quest Plus

    Nov (6 weeks)    Strongid-Double dose (twice body weight)

    Dec                  Quest Plus

Type 3: Daily Dewormer with Feed

    Daily continuous dewormer: The only one we currently recommend is Strongid C or Strongid C 2X. This must be given every day, not missed or given at incorrect weight or it will be ineffective. 

    Twice yearly Ivermectin or Ivermectin Combination Product in spring and fall and also required.

    This schedule may qualify you for a colic prevention program that would pay for colic surgery should your horse require it. Please contact us for more information and to find out how to enroll.

Visit: http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/merial/Strongls/strong_9a1.htm to learn more about parasites and your horse.