Spring Jabs - help

[Tootsie4U]

The new thing 'round here is to vaccinate for Lyme's Disease. Based on what limited things I know about Lyme's in humans, I didnt know you could vaccinate against it. I thought there was no protection (immunization wise) and if you got it, it was treated with anitbiotics (if not too far along).

To others in the US, is the vaccination being recommended to you too?

Even those in the UK, do you have any experience with it? Im asking because it isnt cheap and Im not sure its worth the expense.

I need coggins, west nile and strangles on both of mine, in addition to all else, so the bill is already going to be super high :D

[KarinUS]

I am doing less and less vaccines. The more I learn about the risks and side effects the less enthused I am about vaxing. :(
Luckily ticks are one of the few things we don't have in abundance so I don't have any info on Lyme's Disease.

[cvb]

Tootsie

If its mainly tick-born, can you get a map to show where the ticks are infected ? I know Sweden used to do a map of where TBE was a risk (for humans) so that you knew whether to get the vaccine or not.

[lisae]

I'm skipping rabies this year, been doing it every year but small pets only require it every three!

Lyme has not been pushed by my vet yet, so haven't thought about it. I always assume that my fly spray/rollon/grooming program will keep ticks at bay, also my field is not lush so no worry about the beasties jumping on them. I check horse if I've been in deep vegetation while trail riding.

I'm with Karin, I'm trying to vaccinate less...

[CMR]

Get you some guineas(type of chicken) and you won't have to worry about ticks! :D I think a lot of people are trying to vaccinate less and less(including me), which is a great thing. I like mine to build up my own immunitites. I will only vaccinate mine if they are going to a show, or if strange horse will be coming onto my property.

[Shadowlark]

Call some local small animal clinics (dog/cat) and ask them how much Lyme they are really seeing?

Who's making this vaccine? fort dodge? Find out the brand and lets do some research.. this may be another cash grab thing.. like Coggins.. but don't even get me STARTED on that nonesense...I know you guys are in a legal bind with that one.

As an aside on Rabies.. in my dogs I have dogs who have gone more then 5 years without it and are still titering as protected.. Splash titered protected last year.. he hasn't been vaxxed for it in 6 years... Titers are pricey tho ;)

[Tootsie4U]

[QUOTE=Shadowlark]...this may be another cash grab thing.. like Coggins.. but don't even get me STARTED on that nonesense...QUOTE]

Definately a legal bind with that :( I know barns who wont even let you on the property without a coggins certificate. Is it true that if your horse tests positive for coggins that it will be euthanised on the spot?

[lisae]

The only alternative is having your horse quarantined alone in a barn with screens, so more mosquitoes can't spread the infection. No turnout. Eventually horse might test non-infectious again, but most horseowners can't afford this option, so do the PTS thing. At least that's what I've read. Some positive horses came out of the New Holland sales barn in PA a few years ago, it was a sleazy auction house that wasn't testing or requiring testing.

[lisae]

BTW, what are titers? A blood test to check vaccine levels? Can it be done for all vacs?

My weanling got a kick injury New Year's day and the vet gave him a tetanus antitoxin, a regular tetanus, and a four-way that included tetanus!! I asked her why so many, she just said 'oh it won't hurt him"!

And we only have to get tetanus every ten years, or everytime we step on a pitchfork... (that was me.)