Plan ahead to keep horses healthy

INDIANAPOLIS — Spring is a good time to get horses up to date on their vaccinations — and now is the time to schedule those appointments, said Dr. Jennifer Strasser, a veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

According to Strasser, private veterinarians are busier now than ever. It’s taking horse owners longer to book appointments.

Strasser recommends annual vaccinations in early spring to ward off Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, as well as West Nile virus.

All of these diseases, which can cause neurologic damage and even death, can be prevented with vaccination and annual boosters.

Why vaccinate early in the season?

• Mosquitoes seem to take flight and spread diseases earlier every year.

• Relatively mild winters do not kill off the biting pest populations.

• Vaccinations against these viruses require four to six weeks for immunity to build.

Those receiving the vaccines for the first time need to be administered two doses, three to four weeks apart.

“That four to six week lead-time, along with tight veterinary clinic schedules, means February is not too early to start thinking about spring health maintenance schedules,” Strasser said.

Horse owners should also take measures now to reduce mosquito populations throughout the year.

They can do so by:

• Draining standing water from birdbaths, troughs and other containers.

• Keeping weeds and grass mowed regularly.

• Keeping water circulating in water troughs to prevent the development of mosquito larva.

• Always following label directions when using a product to control mosquitoes in ponds or standing water.

“Dawn and dusk are high insect-exposure times,” Strasser said. “During mosquito season, owners may want to stable their animals overnight to provide added protection. Insect repellents should be used judiciously, and always according to label directions.”

Equine owners who observe signs of illness in animals should consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible about testing and treatment.

However, obtaining veterinary services is becoming increasingly difficult in some areas due to a variety of reasons, including “veterinary deserts.” These areas of the state may not have a veterinarian within the county.

According to the Farm Journal Foundation, more than 500 counties across the United States have shortages of veterinarians who care for livestock. The shortages are causing hardships for animal owners.

BOAH has been working to increase access to veterinary care across Indiana, including collaborating with the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medicine, which licenses veterinary professionals.

Together, the two boards are working to increase access to care statewide by identifying ways to lower barriers and delays to licensing, advancing telehealth services and amending Indiana laws that inhibit practice in rural areas.

For more information about equine health, visit the BOAH website at http://tinyurl.com/yxxdk646.