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Preventative Care
 
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PREVENTATIVE CARE 
      by Benjamin R. Buchanan, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
      (click here to access as a MS Word document)
 

Preventative Health Care
Benjamin R Buchanan, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
November 15, 2006

Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and orthopedic diseases are some of the most common complaints requiring veterinary treatment. A little prevention can reduce the complications of these problems and improve the quality of the horse’s health. The following recommendations are based on recent research, AAEP suggestions, and experience in the area.

Vaccines program memory cells to make antibodies and fight a disease. They can fail if not boostered frequently, inactivated by improper handling, the horse does not respond appropriately, the disease exposure overwhelmed the vaccine response, or the disease was caused by a different strain or agent not included in the vaccination program.

Due to differences in the immune system as a horse ages, different levels of immune suppression from exercise, and different levels of exposure depending on the use of the horse; vaccination recommendations vary. At a minimum all horses in the state of Texas should be vaccinated every July for Rabies, Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and Tetanus. Young and Old horses should be vaccinated every 90 -180 days for Influenza. Performance horses traveling frequently should be vaccinated with modified live Rhino virus every 90 - 180 days.

De-wormers utilize different methods to kill parasites. They can be given on a routine basis, daily, or strategically to kill worms and reduce pasture loads. De-wormers can fail to kill the worms if exposure is high (re-infection), the dose is too low, or the worms have developed resistance. The best way to evaluate the success of your current program is to check feces for worm eggs periodically. This is a non-invasive, inexpensive way to determine a horse’s worm burden and document. To be successful an adequate dose of the dewormer must be given. However some wormers may cause disease if given in too large a dose. Use of scales or weight tapes is recommended for dosing.

Routine dental care provides a veterinarian an opportunity to intervene if a horse is developing malocclusions in their mouth. Sharp points and malocclusion may affect performance and how well a horse digests food leading to gastrointestinal disease. Proper dental examination requires sedation, restraint and an oral mouth speculum.

A strong relationship with a good farrier is important in preventing lameness in horses. Routine foot trimming can keep the foot balanced. This keeps abnormal stress from developing, especially if setting and resetting shoes. The anatomy of every horse is different and no single approach works for every horse.

A quality feeding program is necessary to maintain optimal body weight in horses. When horses are underweight they may not grow normally, become pregnant, carry a pregnancy to term or be as resistant to disease. When horses are too fat they are subject to many endocrine conditions that may cause founder (especially from pasture in the spring and fall).

There are many other factors which can cause colic and services which can be offered to help you keep your horse in optimal health. Please contact your veterinarian to develop a preventative medicine program for your situation.

 

Preventative Care for Foals and Weanlings

4-6 weeks before foaling –            
Vaccinate the mare with EWT, WNV, Rabies, Killed Rhino, and IN Strangles  
Date of birth –              
Rectal enema if needed, dip the umbilicus with a dilute iodine solution (not tincture of iodine or a strong iodine), monitor the foal for normal behavior and nursing
Day two –                
Veterinary physical exam to test colostrum intake, and check for illness, birth and dental defects, +/- administer IV plasma
30 days of age –              
De-worm with strongid paste (pyrantel pamoate) at the label dose    
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
60 days of age –              
De-worm with strongid paste (pyrantel pamoate) at the label dose    
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
90 days of age –              
De-worm with strongid paste (pyrantel pamoate) at the label dose    
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
120 days of age –              
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose    
Vaccination with EWT, WNV, and Rabies        
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
150 days of age –              
Vaccination EWT, WNV (second booster), and rabies (final booster)  
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
180 days                
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose    
Vaccination with EWT, and WNV (final booster)      
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, and IN Strangles    
* Eligible for enrollment in the Strongid C Preventicare program    
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
Ultrasound screening for Rhodococcus Equi      
210 days                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, and IN Strangles (second booster)  
240 days                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, and IN Strangles (final booster)  
270 days                
De-worm with moxidectin paste +/- praziquantel at the label dose    
365 days                
Semi annual exam            
Booster all vaccines MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, Rabies
De-worm with larvicidal dose of Anthelcide (oxibendazole)    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Coggins                
Oral exam, dentistry, castration, permanent identification (microchip, brand, tattoo)
 

Preventative Care for Yearlings

Summary:               
  Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza every 90 - 180 days  
  Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies, IN Strangles twice yearly  
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days  
  De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) in Spring    
  De-worm with moxidectin at larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Dental/Confirmation exam twice yearly    
  Coggins test annually        
  Routine foot care, castration, and permanent identification   
             
January  
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose    
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test        
Physical/Dental Exam          
Coggins Test            
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program        
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) for encysted stronglyes    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
July                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Physical/Dental Exam-wolf teeth removal        
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
October                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with larvicidal dose of Anthelcide (oxibendazole)    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Other services to consider            
Hoof care (shoeing and trimming), castration & wolf teeth removal, permanent identification, consider using intranasal influenza every 6 months instead of intramuscular influenza every three months.
               

 

Two Year Olds 

Summary:       
  Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza every 90 - 180 days
Vaccination with IN Strangles twice yearly
Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies annually		  
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days or check fecal egg counts  
  De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) in Spring    
  De-worm with moxidectin at larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Dental/Confirmation exam twice yearly    
  Coggins test annually        
  Routine foot care, castration, and permanent identification  
January                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test        
Physical/Dental Exam          
Coggins Test            
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program        
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) for encysted stronglyes    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
July                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Physical/Dental Exam          
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
October                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with larvicidal dose of moxidectin    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Other services to consider            
Hoof care (shoeing and trimming), castration & wolf teeth removal, permanent identification, X-ray screening for developmental orthopedic disease
               

Three Year Olds – Five Year Olds

Summary:            
   
  Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza every 90 days
Vaccination with IN Strangles twice yearly
Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies annually		      
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days or check fecal egg counts
  De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) in Spring  
  De-worm with moxidectin at larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Confirmation exam annually    
  Dental exam twice annually      
  Coggins test annually      
  Routine foot care, castration, and permanent identification 
January              
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs  
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test      
Physical/Dental Exam        
Coggins Test          
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program      
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April              
De-worm with ivermectin paste at the label dose    
July              
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN Strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs  
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
Physical/Dental Exam        
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention    
October              
De-worm with larvicidal dose of moxidectin  
Other services to consider          
De-worm with Ivermectin every 60 days, vaccination with MVL Rhino and Influenza every 90 days, permanent identification.

Old Horse (~20 years)

Summary:             
  Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies, and IN Strangles once yearly 
  Vaccination with Influenza every 90 - 180 days        
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days or check fecal egg counts
  De-worm with moxidectinat larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Dental/Endocrine exam annually    
  Coggins test annually      
  Routine foot care and permanent identification   
January              
Vaccination with Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies  
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs  
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test      
Coggins Test          
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program      
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April              
Vaccination with Influenza        
De-worm with ivermectin paste at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
July              
Vaccination with Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies  
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
Physical/Dental/Endocrine Exam      
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
October              
Vaccination with influenza        
De-worm with larvicidal dose of moxidectin  
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
Other services to consider          
De-worm with ivermectin every 60 days.

 

Performance Horse

Summary:              
  Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza every 90 - 180 days
Vaccination with IN Strangles twice yearly
Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies annually		  
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days or check fecal egg counts  
  De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) in Spring    
  De-worm with moxidectin at larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Dental/Confirmation exam twice yearly    
  Coggins test annually        
  Routine foot care, castration, and permanent identification   
January                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test        
Physical/Dental Exam          
Coggins Test            
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program        
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with ivermectin paste at the label dose or check feces for eggs      
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
July                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino, Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Physical/Dental Exam          
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
Evaluate confirmation and need for intervention      
October                
Vaccination with MLV Rhino and Influenza        
De-worm with larvicidal dose of moxidectin    
+/- Fecal Egg Count            
Other services to consider            
De-worm with Ivermectin every 60 days, permanent identification, consider using intranasal influenza every 6 months instead of intramuscular influenza every three months.

Pasture/Pleasure Horse

Summary:             
  Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies, and IN Strangles once yearly 
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days or check fecal egg counts
  De-worm with moxidectin at larvicidal dose in late Fall
  Physical/Dental exam annually      
  Coggins test annually      
  Routine foot care and permanent identification   
January              
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs  
Fecal Egg Count / Sand sedimentation test      
Physical/Dental Exam        
Coggins Test          
Re-enrollment in Preventicare program      
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
April              
De-worm with ivermectin paste at the label dose or check feces for eggs    
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
July              
Vaccination with Influenza, IN strangles, EWT, WNV, and Rabies  
De-worm with ivermectin paste with praziquantel at the label dose or check feces for eggs  
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
Physical/Dental Exam        
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
October              
De-worm with larvicidal dose of moxidectin  
+/- Fecal Egg Count          
Other services to consider          
De-worm with Ivermectin every 60 days, Booster vaccines (PLUS MLV Rhino) 10-14 days before hauling or exposure to a large numbers of horses.
 

New Purchase

Prior to purchase              
Have veterinarian exam horse for soundness (pre-purchase exam)    
Vaccination (booster) current horses with MLV Rhino, Influenza, and IN strangles 10 days prior to receiving horse
               
After purchase              
Booster vaccines as needed          
De-worm with larvicidal dose of Anthelcide (oxibendazole)    
Isolate from pregnant, young, and old horse for first 10-14 days    
Permanent identification          
 

Broodmares

Summary:               
  *Do not use MLV Rhino if Pregnant! Use killed Rhino I/IV instead
  Vaccination with Influenza every 90 days      
  Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies, IN Strangles once yearly  
  Vaccination with killed Rhino at 5, 7, and 9 months of pregnancy  
  Vaccination with EWT, WNV, Rabies, IN Strangles, Influenza, and killed Rhino I and IV 4-6 weeks before foaling and 10-14 days before going to breeding farm
 
  De-worm with ivermectin +/- praziquantel every 60-90 days  
  De-worm with Anthelcide (oxibendazole) in Spring and Fall  
  Pre-breeding exam to evaluate reproductive conformation  
  Post breeding ultrasound at 16, 30, 60, and 150 days after insemination 
  Physical/Dental exam annually        
  Coggins test annually        
  Routine foot care and permanent identification     
Follow recommendations for routine care as above. *Do not use rhino MLV in pregnant mares* 
Below is additional specialized care for Broodmares.        
January                
Physical/Dental Exam          
Veterinary breeding soundness exam, ultrasound, culture, biopsy    
Develop breeding plan             
*Needs to receive Rhino/Flu/Strangles at least 10 days before traveling or importation of new horses
16 days post breeding            
Ultrasound of uterus to confirm pregnancy and eliminate twins    
30 days post breeding            
Ultrasound of uterus to confirm pregnancy        
+/- Caslicks procedure          
60 days post breeding            
Palpation for pregnancy          
Fetal sexing if desired          
150 days of pregnancy            
Palpation for pregnancy          
Killed Rhino I and IV (first shot)          
210 days of pregnancy