<b>By TIM THORNBERRY<br>
Kentucky Correspondent</b></p><p>

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As important as it is for humans to receive proper vaccinations to guard against a host of diseases throughout their lives, the same applies for animals, especially in the equine industry which contributes more than $1 billion in revenue to Kentucky annually.<br>
Some of the most common problems and diseases horses can be vaccinated against include tetanus, encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness), influenza, rhinopneumonitis, rabies, strangles, West Nile virus and Potomac Horse Fever.<br>
Most horse owners wouldn’t dream of leaving their animals unprotected, and the American Assoc. of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) offers some sound advice about vaccinations and precautions.<br>
One of the first things to remember, according to the organization, is a “standard” vaccination program for all horses does not exist.
The AAEP said, “Each individual situation requires evaluation based on the following criteria: risk of disease (anticipated exposure, environmental factors, geographic factors, age, breed, use, and sex of the horse); consequences of the disease (morbidity/mortality, zoonotic potential); anticipated effectiveness of the selected product(s); potential for adverse reactions to a vaccine(s); and cost of immunization (time, labor and vaccine costs) vs. potential cost of disease (time out of competition; impact of movement restrictions imposed in order to control an outbreak of contagious disease; labor and medication if, or when, horses develop clinical disease and require treatment, or loss of life.)”<br>
The AAEP also notes that owners should have realistic expectations and understand that “vaccination alone, in the absence of good management practices directed at infection control, is not sufficient for the prevention of infectious disease. Vaccination serves to minimize the risks of infection but cannot prevent disease in all circumstances.<br>
The primary series of vaccines and booster doses should be appropriately administered prior to likely exposure. Each horse in a population is not protected to an equal degree nor for an equal duration following vaccination. Protection is not immediately afforded the patient after administration of a vaccine that is designed to induce active immunity.<br>
In most instances, a priming series of multiple doses of a vaccine must be administered initially for that vaccine to induce protective active immunity. All horses in a herd should be vaccinated at intervals based on the professional opinion of the attending veterinarian.<br>
A properly administered, licensed product should not be assumed to provide complete protection during any given field epidemic; and, although rare, there is potential for adverse reactions despite appropriate handling and administration of vaccines.<br>
In addition the group specifies that “ideally, the same schedule is followed for all horses in a population, thus simplifying record keeping, minimizing replication and transmission of infectious agents in a herd and indirectly protecting those horses in the herd that responded poorly to vaccination, thereby optimizing herd-immunity.”<br>
The AAEP offers a brochure to its clients explaining the benefits of proper vaccinations as well as what to expect with the process.
Some of the information noted in the brochure includes the statement, “Vaccinations are a vital part of proper equine management. If incorporated into a program that includes regular deworming, an ample supply of clean water, a good nutrition program and a safe environment, you and your horse will be all set to enjoy many happy, healthy, productive years together.”
Other information under the “what to expect” heading includes, “a good immunization program is essential to responsible horse ownership, but just as in humans, vaccination does not guarantee 100 percent protection.<br>
In some situations, immunization may decrease the severity of disease but not prevent it completely.<br>
This is due to many complicated scientific reasons, such as differences in the virulence or severity of some diseases (such as influenza).”<br>
“Vaccination involves the injection (with a sterile syringe and needle) of bacteria or viruses that are inactivated or modified to avoid causing actual disease in the horse,” the AAEP said. <br>“Recently intranasal vaccinations have been developed for immunization against influenza and strangles. Two or more doses are usually needed to initiate an adequate immune response.
“Once the immunization procedure is completed, the protective antibodies in the blood stand guard against the invasion of specific diseases. Over time, however, these antibodies gradually decline. Therefore, a booster shot is needed at regular intervals. Protection against some diseases such as tetanus and rabies can be accomplished by boostering once a year. Others require more frequent intervals to provide adequate protection.”<br>
The AAEP got its start more than 50 years ago in the basement of the Brown Hotel in Louisville with 11 veterinarians and has grown to include more than 8,000 vets and veterinary students from 57 countries with one common pursuit, “to protect the health and welfare of the horse.”<br>
While it may impossible to prevent all diseases, it is possible to prevent many from happening through a regular vaccinations routine.<br>
For more information visit the AAEP website at www.aaep.org