Now is the Time to Vaccinate Horses for West Nile Virus

Now is the Time to Vaccinate Horses for West Nile Virus

Across the West, the mild winter has given way to spring and soon the mosquitoes will be out in full force. It is time be make sure your horse’s vaccination is current for protection against West Nile virus.
Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Joe Baker urges horse owners to schedule a visit with their veterinarian to protect horses from this disease.
Baker: “Well every year in most states there are cases where horses contract West Nile virus and many of those horses either die from the effects of the infection or have to be euthanized and the surviving horses often times have permanent or long lasting neological deficients associated with going through the disease. The attitude of , ‘Well it is not likely to happen, only holds water until it happens to you.’ The real unfortunate reality here is those animals that have clinical illness are not vaccinated. So you are saving them or protecting them from a disease that has fatality rate of about 33 percent. The horses that have residual effects are about another 40 to 50 percent of survivors. You protect your horses from the potential to have a very serious problem or losIng your horse. Again it is sad to see any horse owner lose an animal to a disease that can be protected against.”

 

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