With spring approaching, Merck Animal Health is reminding horse owners of potential equine health problems and ways to prevent diseases or aid in pain relief.
Springtime horse health concerns
Protection from West Nile virus, influenza immunization, and pain relief of colic are priorities for horse owners.
PreveNile provides active immunization of horses against West Nile virus infection. The live chimera virus vaccine is intended for the vaccination of healthy horses to prevent viremia and as an aid in the prevention of disease and encephalitis caused by West Nile virus infection. The vaccine is safe when used to vaccinate horses 4 months of age or older by the intramuscular route. A single dose of PreveNile has a duration of immunity of one year in yearlings and older horses. This vaccine is only available in the USA.
Equilis® Prequenza provides active immunization of horses from 6 months of age against equine influenza to reduce clinical signs and virus excretion after infection, and active immunization against tetanus to prevent mortality (Equilis Prequenza Te). Equilis Prequenza provides one year duration of immunity after revaccination. Equilis Prequenza contains ISCOM-Matrix as adjuvant and is available in ready to use syringes and vials.
Dolorex® (butorphanol tartrate), authorized for use in horses as well as dogs, is our newest addition to an ever increasing portfolio. This analgesic is based on butorphanol tartrate and is authorized for use in horses and dogs for pain relief (specifically for the management of colic of gastrointestinal tract origin in horses, and moderate visceral pain in dogs) and sedation in combination with certain α2-adrenoceptor agonists.