Horse Vaccines – How Do They Work?

Horse owners understand the significance of a regular vaccination program, but it remains unclear how these vaccines work and why they work. Equine vaccines are carefully developed and tested to make sure they are safe and effective. To know more about various types of vaccines, it is important to consult your veterinarian.

All vaccines are formulated to help prevent different diseases; they contain antigens, which come from the disease organism.  Viruses and bacteria are examples of these antigens. When given to a horse, it initiates an immune response to protect the body from that particular disease. Vaccines may also contain an adjuvant as one of its ingredients. Adjuvants serve as an enhancer for the antigen presentation and also stands as another foreign substance that can help stimulate a better and stronger immune response.

Why is there a need for adjuvants when the antigens are enough to stimulate an immune response? Often, antigens in vaccines are in their inactivated state. When talking about inactivated, the antigens are good as dead before they will be incorporated into the vaccine formulation to prevent the disease from occurring. Since inactivated foreign agents cannot reproduce themselves like regular organisms would, the immune response that they initiate may not be so strong enough to defend the body from the infection when the horse is affected by the disease.

Occasionally, swelling and soreness may be present at the site of injection. Rarely though, horses may suffer from allergic reactions that is life-threatening. Most horse vaccines are delivered via the intramuscular route. The preparation will be delivered straight to the muscle tissues where it will be taken up by the system and processed.

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Consult your veterinarian for the proper vaccination and equine deworming program. For affordable equine dewormers, click here.

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Not every horse should get vaccinated for each type of disease. The best thing to do is to consult your veterinarian as he or she can assess the health status of your horse and whether or not a special vaccination will be required.

All horse owners only want to give the best to their horses and protect them from diseases. The most effective vaccination program can be determined only by your veterinarian, so it is important to discuss with him or her about this matter. The vaccination program will depend on various factors such as your horse’s daily activities, age and his risk of exposure to other horses. With an appropriate vaccination program, you can help keep your horse healthy and productive all throughout the season.

credits: image grabbed from Laura Deuerling