Last Updated on October 23, 2022
Have you ever wondered about a horse reacting to a vaccine looks like? Or what you should do if your horse has a vaccine reaction? Let’s find out!
What Are The Main Side Effects Of Horse Vaccinations?
Most vaccinations in horses are given via intramuscular injection. This is the most effective route of administration, but unfortunately also comes with an increased incidence of side effects. No matter how carefully your veterinarian assesses the risks and administers the vaccination, there is always the chance that a horse reacts to a vaccine.
Horse Reacting To A Vaccine
There are two different types of vaccine reactions in horses, either localized or systemic. Localized reactions occur at and directly around the injection site in response to irritation of the tissues by the vaccination. These reactions can range in severity from short-lived mild swelling and pain to a deep intramuscular abscess that requires extensive treatment
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Systemic Horse Reaction To A Vaccine
Systemic vaccine reactions in horses cause symptoms that affect the whole body. These are often considered to be normal and part of the immune response that is necessary as a result of vaccination. However, it is important to be able to recognize the difference between what is normal in a horse after vaccination and what may indicate that they are having a life-threatening adverse response.
Horse’s Vaccine Reactions: Symptoms
After an intramuscular vaccine, some horses will develop localized muscular swelling. Although muscle swelling is considered to be part of a normal immune response, it can be quite painful and inflamed, and you may be able to feel the heat around the injection site. In some cases, this will also cause reduced mobility in the area, particularly if the vaccine was administered into the neck muscle of the horse.
Normally these localized vaccine reactions are relatively mild, but occasionally they can turn into something more problematic. This is because in some situations the horse will develop an abscess at the injection site, deep within the muscle. These abscesses are often so deep that they take a long time to burst, and may need a surgical procedure to resolve.
Systemic reactions to vaccines can cause a range of different symptoms, some of which are mild but others that can be life-threatening. A normal immune response can cause short-term fever, along with a reduced appetite and a dull demeanor. These symptoms normally resolve within a day or so, but the horse should be closely monitored for signs of a more serious vaccine reaction.
If the horse suffers from a true systemic vaccine reaction, this can potentially be life-threatening. You may initially see bumps or swellings all over the body of the horse – this is called urticaria. The horse may also show symptoms of colic, and the mucous membranes in the mouth may become discolored or develop purple spots.
Any of these symptoms can quickly develop into anaphylactic shock, where the body develops a severe allergic inflammatory response. Prompt treatment of horses with a true systemic vaccine reaction is essential, otherwise, death may occur.
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How To Manage Vaccine Reaction In Horses
The management of a vaccine reaction in horses will depend on the type of reaction and the severity of the symptoms.
If the horse has a mild localized reaction, with just a small amount of pain and swelling around the injection site, you can soothe the inflammation using warm compresses. Horses that have been injected in the neck may be too sore to lower their head to eat, so feed and water should be raised off the ground. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a short course of anti-inflammatory medication.
Horses with a mild systemic reaction to vaccines normally return to normal after 24-48 hours. During this time the horse should be rested and kept calm and quiet, and offered palatable food to tempt him to eat. If the horse refuses to eat or shows any abnormal symptoms it is vital to seek veterinary help immediately.
Treatments For Horse Reacting To A Vaccine
If the vaccine reaction causes severe or prolonged side effects, then more intensive veterinary treatment may be required.
Localized vaccine reactions occasionally develop into an abscess at the injection site, which will not resolve until all the pus has been drained away. As these abscesses are deep within the muscle layer, a surgical procedure may be necessary to flush the abscess out. A drain will then be placed to enable the abscess to be flushed several times a day until it resolves.
In a worst-case scenario, injection site abscesses can cause the muscular tissue to become damaged, and the necrotic tissue will need to be debrided. This can lead to a large wound that takes a long time to heal.
A severe systemic vaccine reaction requires prompt and aggressive treatment. This will include steroids to reduce the inflammatory response, as well as supportive care such as intravenous fluid therapy. Horses that develop a vaccine reaction this severe will normally need to be hospitalized at a specialist equine veterinary clinic.
When any type of vaccine reaction occurs, your veterinarian will need to report it to the relevant drug authorities. All adverse reactions are closely monitored to enable manufacturers of medications to keep track of any commonly recurring reactions.
Summary – Horse Reacting To A Vaccine
So, as we have learned, if you come across a horse reacting to a vaccine, the best course of action is to seek veterinary advice. A local reaction to vaccine in horses is relatively common and will cause a small amount of swelling and pain around the injection site. The systemic effects of vaccination can also make a horse lethargic after vaccines. Any vaccine reaction in horses should be reported to the relevant authorities by your veterinarian.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how to deal with a horse reacting to a vaccine! Are you worried about the potential side effects of the necessary vaccines for horses? Or maybe you think the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the potential risks of a reaction? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE