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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > General Gaited Horse Discussions > Horse Health Issues > Blood titre test for Strangles |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > General Gaited Horse Discussions > Horse Health Issues > Blood titre test for Strangles |
| Moderated by: Brenda Im |
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| Blood titre test for Strangles | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22nd, 2012 05:18 pm |
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1st Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member 
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I understand the differing of opinions on vaccinating and appreciate these comments, but since strangles is required at this particular facility, and our family has a home there, if we want to take our horses there, and we do, we have to abide by their rules. I have never heard that strangles is harder on the horses than the others but will certainly ask our vet. This wonderful facility had an outbreak of strangles about 4 years ago, and is very careful now. Can't really blame them - it was horrible for them. Thankfully no horses died, but several were quite sick, and all the sterilization that had to be done was rough on the staff, owners etc. If we didn't travel much with our horses I would view this differently. Thanks!
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21st, 2012 11:10 pm |
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2nd Post |
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mygirl1197 G.O.G Community Member 
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I just had my vet/chiropractor out to do some adjustments on my mare who was having some weird issues with her hind end. My vet was telling us about titer testing our horses rather then immunizations. I believe that we over vaccinate all our animals. Vaccines are important, but if your animals already have enough of the antibodies in their blood, why add more. She wrote an article about the EHV-1 outbreak last year that had some information about titer testing. Here is the link... http://animalhealthoptionsvet.com/articles/EHV-1.pdf I look at titer testing the same way as the new protocol for worming...fecal egg count...and then treat for the type of worms the horse has...or no poisons if they are not needed. The only wormer my horses get yearly are equimax for tapeworms because they do not show up in fecals. Other then that...my horses will only get wormed after getting the results of a fecal. Vaccines should be the same way! This will be my first year getting a titer test rather then vaccines for everything. Last edited on Sat Apr 21st, 2012 11:11 pm by mygirl1197 |
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| Posted: Thu Mar 22nd, 2012 08:54 pm |
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3rd Post |
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LARHAGE G.O.G Community Member 
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I never vaccinate my horses over 10 for Strangles, my Vet told me it's one of the hardest vaccines on them and horses as they get older have developed a resistance to the disease, a stressed horse being the exception. I actually don't vaccinate my horses that stay on my property, my trail horses get Pneumabort every 4 months as needed, we as a society are prone to excessive vaccinations, which are far more likely to have ramifications than not vaccinating, after initial vaccines. I no longer do my dogs either, just what is required by law. Last edited on Thu Mar 22nd, 2012 08:55 pm by LARHAGE ____________________ God Forbid that I shall go to a Heaven without Horses. |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2012 06:59 pm |
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4th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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On the flip side, I am one to titre (or titer) once certain vaccinations have been given in the past or the subject had direct exposure and develop natural immunity. It reasons if you get good results on a titre, such as the test shows the blood had to be diluted 380 times before the disease prevailed, the subject has developed a long term, or life long, immunity to the disease. IMO, repeat vaccinations when immunity is strongly or effectively established may lead to autoimmune disorders or metabolism imbalances, or other chronic disease. You never know 'if" a horse will have an adverse reaction to repeat vaccinations and what that fall out might be. I think titre testing is a great tool to use if you do want to put your resources into understanding how vaccinations, exposures and immunity works... and strangles generally does not repeat itself, once the horse gets it. So it makes sense one or two specific vaccinations could establish long term immunity too. You don't have to titre every year, and you realize this as put your expense into titre testing as opposed to routine annual or bi-annual vaccinations. Also, it is good practice if you do vaccinate, to do single vaccinations and spread the next one out at least 2-3 weeks later, better 2-3 months later.
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2012 05:38 pm |
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5th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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The blood test is probably as expensive as the vaccine. If it doesn't hurt the horse to have the vaccine even if his blood levels are within the limits, I'd go ahead and give it. My theory behind all the vaccines my two boys get is tha it is far cheaper to try to prevent the disease than it is to treat it.
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 21st, 2012 12:04 pm |
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6th Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member
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For the last few years our horses got the Strangles vaccine because we take them a couple times a year to a location that previously had a bad outbreak. But I just learned yesterday that they now can draw blood and test it for antibodies and if its within certain limits, the vaccine isn't needed? Anyone know of this, or have comments?
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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