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[RC] EHV-1 A Must Read On Vaccinating Part 4 of 4 - Don HustonIn Ohio in 2003, Finley University had a large scale outbreak of the neurological form of EHV1 in the show horse population. Despite heroic 24 hour care given by the 2 veterinarians on staff, over twenty animals died or were euthanized. What is of interest in this case was that animals vaccinated against EHV1/4 had both a higher morbidity (attack rate) and mortality (death rate) as compared to the horses that no vaccinations at all (Dr. Stephen Reed, The Ohio State University, private correspondence, January 24, 2003). There is yet hope to be gleaned from this grim fact. The few horses that were vaccinated with a particular monovalent vaccine specific to EHV1, a modified life vaccine, suffered no deaths. The numbers, however, were small. Please understand, there are few miracles in life and there are no miracle drugs. However, there is a difference in the immunity conferred upon your horse depending on which vaccine you use. By far the preferred vaccine to use in the present situation is called Rhinomune (Pfizer). It is a modified life vaccine (easiest on the body), monovalent (no EHV4 or any other antigen to dilute the immune response) and it is safe. This is the same vaccine that was distributed by Norden in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been around for 35 years and has been proven to be safe. Do not use the Pneumobort K vaccine made by Fort Dodge. This is a poor quality vaccine with poor ability to stimulate immunity. Why else would brood mares have to be vaccinated with numbing regularity at months 5, 7 and 9 every year of pregnancy? How long would pregnant women remain quiescent if this were prescribed for them? Why do our horses continue to have to be subjected to this vaccine? If we were not so used to this situation we would raise our voices in disgust that this vaccine is still around. More effective than Pneumobort K are the flu/Rhino and EHV1/4 combination vaccines. These are better than nothing but horses vaccinated with these vaccines have been shown to succumb to the disease and still die. In the simplest terms: Do not vaccinate your horse if your horse has potentially been exposed to EHV1. Treat him like royalty for 21 days and keep your ears and eyes open to what is happening in your local area. If he shows no signs of disease at 21 days, go back to your old routine. Feel free to vaccinate him at that point in time. The most effective vaccine to use prior to exposure is Rhinomune (Pfizer). Repeat the vaccination in three weeks. We must all be vigilant to stop the spread of this disease in California. If you feel your horse is depressed, has a fever especially if there is nasal discharge present, you can not assume, at this moment in time, that your horse has a cold and will self-heal. Please call your veterinarian, ask him to test the horse for Equine Herpes Virus exposure using blood (buffy coat PCR) or nasal swabs (virus isolation). He may not want to come out (give the guy a break, he deserves it). These are fairly simple diagnostic procedures that can be performed by a veterinary technician. Give him verbal permission to send a technician, and release him from liability concerns. The results should be available soon and chances are overwhelming that you can stop worrying. Your neighbors will appreciate your efforts. Merry Christmas and good will to all, especially the hard working and talented polo ponies of this world Noel S. Muller, DVM Los Caballos Equine Practice, Inc Galt CA 95632 209 334 1660 LosCaballos2@xxxxxxx
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