Spring has arrived and we know you’re eager to spend more time with your four-legged best friend. It’s important to make sure your horse is healthy and feeling his best all year.
Syringes targeting horse vaccination needs
All horses should receive annual vaccination against the five core diseases: rabies, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, and tetanus.
© 2016 by Fabio Berti
Annual vaccinations are key to ensuring your horse’s health and well-being against potentially fatal equine diseases.
But what vaccines does your horse absolutely need?
Every horse is unique, and every environment is unique. To determine what vaccinations your horse needs, talk with your veterinarian first. Your veterinarian can advise you on the potential disease risks in your area, the best time for core disease vaccination and what risk-based vaccines are right for your horse
Core Vs. Risk-based Diseases
The two categories of diseases that pose the most serious threats to horses are:
- Core Diseases: The five core diseases include rabies, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis, and tetanus. All horses are exposed to these potentially fatal diseases and need to be vaccinated annually according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
- Risk-based Diseases: Equine influenza virus and herpesvirus are the most common risk-based diseases that your horse may need to be vaccinated against. Vaccination will vary depending on your horse’s unique lifestyle and environment.
The Danger of Core Diseases Is Real
Protect your horse from the potentially fatal core diseases every spring with Core EQ Innovator®, the first and only vaccine to protect horses against all five core equine diseases in a single injection.
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|
Fatality |
Exposure and Impact |
|
Rabies |
100% fatal1 |
|
|
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) |
90% fatal1 |
|
|
Tetanus |
75% fatal2 |
|
|
Western equine encephalomyelitis |
50% fatal1 |
|
|
West Nile virus |
33% fatal1 |
|
Additional annual risk-based vaccinations may be needed based on your horse’s unique lifestyle and environment. Protect your horse from diseases like equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, strangles, and leptospirosis through annual vaccination.
In addition to advising on critical core and risk-based vaccinations, your veterinarian can develop the best possible preventive health care plan for your horse that includes proper diet and regular dental exams.
Use this vaccination guide as a starting point to identify your horse’s core and risk-based needs and work with your veterinarian to develop an annual vaccination plan together.
About Zoetis
Zoetis is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 65 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products, which are complemented by biodevices, genetic tests and precision livestock farming. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in more than 100 countries. In 2019, the company generated annual revenue of $6.3 billion with approximately 10,600 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetisUS.com.
1 American Association of Equine Practitioners. Core Vaccination Guidelines. 2012. https://aaep.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines/core-vaccination-guidelines. Accessed May 1, 2020.
2 MacKay R. Tetanus. In: Sellon DC, Long M, eds. Equine Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier 2007:368-372.
Press release by Kevin Hankins, Senior Veterinarian, Equine Technical Services, Zoetis