Get Vaccinating Right

Properly administered vaccinations represent the most economical tools available to help prevent infectious diseases. Illness can take an enormous toll on your horse's well-being and performance and may jeopardize its life.

Learn More

Risks are

Everywhere

Any horse can get sick at any time. However, horses that are on the move — to horse shows, rodeos, the racetrack, the breeding shed, trail rides, etc. — are especially susceptible to diseases spread by other horses.

In addition, travel stress can weaken the immune system horses use to naturally fend off illness.

Vaccination as

Prevention

Vaccinating your horse at the right time, well before exposure to viral and bacterial diseases, is extremely important. Your veterinarian remains the best source for advice on an appropriate immunization program and other aspects of your horse's health.

Check with your

Veterinarian

Vaccination programs may vary depending upon needs specific to your horse. Considerations might include: environment, travel, age, gender, use, and other factors.

Make sure you consult with your veterinarian concerning an appropriate vaccination program for your animal. Keep in mind that the plan should be re-examined as time and circumstances change.

Diseases of Concern

The diseases to which horses are vulnerable vary widely. Some are obvious, others pose hidden threats. Some target younger horses while others affect all ages. The key to good health for your horse is in knowing when, how and where these enemies might strike — and how to best defeat them. The following recommendations are for adult horses. Check with your veterinarian on proper vaccination for foals and previously unvaccinated horses.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has created a category of vaccinations called core vaccinations.

Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, with a high-enough level of patient benefit – and low-enough level of risk — to justify their use in all horses.

Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE) are viral infections of the horse's brain and spinal cord. The virus is maintained in reservoirs (primarily birds and rodents) and transmitted to the horse by the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease is fatal in 50-90 percent of cases.

Surviving horses often have residual mental dullness. Treatment is generally supportive because antibiotics are ineffective.

There are two types of equine encephalomyelitis commonly seen in North America — Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE). A third type, Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE), is seen in Central America and northern South America but has not been reported in the United States since 1971. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE) are considered core equine vaccines and are indicated in the immunization program for all horses.

Clinicial signs can include:
Behavioral changes
Loss of appetite and fever
These can progress in 12 to 24 hours to:
Dementia with head-pressing
Teeth Grinding
Circling
Blindness
Ataxia (incoordination)

Tetanus

All horses are at risk of developing tetanus, an often fatal disease caused by the neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium tetani (Cl. tetani) bacteria. Tetanus toxoid is a core equine vaccine and is indicated in the immunization program for all horses.

Spores of Cl. tetani survive in the environment for many years, resulting in an ever-present risk of exposure to horses and people in equine facilities. Tetanus is not a contagious disease but is the result of Cl. tetani infection of puncture wounds (particularly those involving the foot or muscle), open lacerations, surgical incisions, exposed tissues such as the umbilicus of foals and reproductive tract of the postpartum mare (especially in the event of trauma or retained placenta).

Tetanus toxin affects the horse by causing:
Rigid paralysis
Spasms of the muscles (often the jaw muscles are affected first, hence the name "lockjaw")
Anxious expression
Reaction to noises or movements with spasms or convulsions
Respiratory paralysis and dehydration that can lead to death

All horses are at risk of developing tetanus, an often fatal disease caused by the neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium tetani (Cl. tetani) bacteria. Tetanus toxoid is a core equine vaccine and is indicated in the immunization program for all horses.

Spores of Cl. tetani survive in the environment for many years, resulting in an ever-present risk of exposure to horses and people in equine facilities. Tetanus is not a contagious disease but is the result of Cl. tetani infection of puncture wounds (particularly those involving the foot or muscle), open lacerations, surgical incisions, exposed tissues such as the umbilicus of foals and reproductive tract of the postpartum mare (especially in the event of trauma or retained placenta).

Tetanus toxin affects the horse by causing:
Rigid paralysis
Spasms of the muscles (often the jaw muscles are affected first, hence the name "lockjaw")
Anxious expression
Reaction to noises or movements with spasms or convulsions
Respiratory paralysis and dehydration that can lead to death

Rabies

Rabies is an infrequently encountered neurologic disease. While the incidence of rabies in horses is low, once signs of clinical disease appears, the fatality rate is 100%. There is no treatment for the disease and it has a considerable public health significance. AAEP recommends that rabies vaccine be a core vaccine for all horses.

Exposure occurs through the bite of an infected (rabid) animal, typically a wildlife source such as raccoon, fox, skunk or bat. Bites to horses occur most often on the muzzle, face and lower limbs. The virus migrates via nerves to the brain, where it initiates rapidly progressive, invariably fatal encephalitis.

Rabies can look like many diseases. Clinical signs vary widely and can include:
Colic
Ataxia (incoordination)
Muscle spasms
Blindness
Possible aggression
Lameness
Incontinence
Paralysis
Depression

Rabies is an infrequently encountered neurologic disease. While the incidence of rabies in horses is low, once signs of clinical disease appears, the fatality rate is 100%. There is no treatment for the disease and it has a considerable public health significance. AAEP recommends that rabies vaccine be a core vaccine for all horses.

Exposure occurs through the bite of an infected (rabid) animal, typically a wildlife source such as raccoon, fox, skunk or bat. Bites to horses occur most often on the muzzle, face and lower limbs. The virus migrates via nerves to the brain, where it initiates rapidly progressive, invariably fatal encephalitis.

Rabies can look like many diseases. Clinical signs vary widely and can include:
Colic
Ataxia (incoordination)
Muscle spasms
Blindness
Possible aggression
Lameness
Incontinence
Paralysis
Depression

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of arbovirus encephalitis in horses and humans in the United States. According to AAEP Vaccination Guidelines, nearly 25,000 cases of equine WNV encephalitis have been reported in the United States since 1999.

This virus has been identified in the entire continental United States, most of Canada and Mexico. The virus is transmitted from avian reservoir hosts by mosquitoes to horses, humans and a number of other mammals.

The case fatality rate for horses exhibiting clinical signs of WNV infection is approximately 33 percent. According to AAEP, there is data showing that 40 percent of horses that survive the acute illness caused by WNV still exhibit residual effects, such as gait and behavioral abnormalities, six months post-diagnosis. Vaccination for WNV is recommended as an essential standard of care for North American horses and is a core vaccination according to the AAEP.

Clincial signs include:
Ataxia (incoordination)
Loss of appetite
Muscle-twitching
Stumbling
Fever

Partial paralysis
Neurologic signs may include head-pressing, inability to stand up, convulsions and possibly death

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of arbovirus encephalitis in horses and humans in the United States. According to AAEP Vaccination Guidelines, nearly 25,000 cases of equine WNV encephalitis have been reported in the United States since 1999.

This virus has been identified in the entire continental United States, most of Canada and Mexico. The virus is transmitted from avian reservoir hosts by mosquitoes to horses, humans and a number of other mammals.

The case fatality rate for horses exhibiting clinical signs of WNV infection is approximately 33 percent. According to AAEP, there is data showing that 40 percent of horses that survive the acute illness caused by WNV still exhibit residual effects, such as gait and behavioral abnormalities, six months post-diagnosis. Vaccination for WNV is recommended as an essential standard of care for North American horses and is a core vaccination according to the AAEP.

Clincial signs include:
Ataxia (incoordination)
Loss of appetite
Muscle-twitching
Stumbling
Fever

Partial paralysis
Neurologic signs may include head-pressing, inability to stand up, convulsions and possibly death

According to the AAEP, risk-based vaccines are administered on the basis of a risk assessment performed by your veterinarian. Criteria can include your horse's age, exposure level and geography. Use of these vaccines may vary among individuals, populations and/or geographic regions.

Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) is one of the most common infectious diseases of the respiratory tract of horses. It is endemic in the equine population of the United States and throughout much of the world. EIV does not constantly circulate, even in large groups of horses, but is sporadically introduced by an infected horse. Because EIV is considered the most economically important respiratory disease in the horse, all horses should be vaccinated against Equine Influenza (EIV) unless they live in a closed and isolated facility.

EIV is highly contagious, and the virus spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing.

Clincial signs include:
Fever (102.5° to 106.5°F)
Frequent dry cough
Nasal discharge
Lethargy
Anorexia
Possible secondary bacterial pneumonia

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV or Rhino)

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) can each infect the respiratory tract, causing disease that varies in severity from subclinical
 (not apparent) to severe. Infection of the respiratory tract with EHV-1 and EHV-4 typically first occurs in foals early in life, but recurrent infections are seen in weanlings, yearlings and young horses entering training — especially when horses from different sources are commingled.

Both EHV-1 and EHV-4 spread via coughing horses, by direct and indirect contact with nasal secretions and, in the case
 of EHV-1 abortion, contact with aborted fetuses, fetal/placental fluids and the placenta. Horses can have latent infections and may not show clinical signs, but may experience reactivation of infection and shed the virus when stressed. Those factors compromise efforts to control these diseases and explain why outbreaks of EHV-1 or EHV-4 can occur in closed populations.

Clinical signs of the respiratory form of EHV-1/EHV-4 include:
Fever
Lethargy
Anorexia
Nasal discharge
Cough
EHV-1 also causes:
Epidemic abortion in mares
The birth of weak non-viable foals
Sporadic paralytic neurologic disease
 (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy — EHM) secondary to vasculitis of the spinal cord and brain

Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) can each infect the respiratory tract, causing disease that varies in severity from subclinical
 (not apparent) to severe. Infection of the respiratory tract with EHV-1 and EHV-4 typically first occurs in foals early in life, but recurrent infections are seen in weanlings, yearlings and young horses entering training — especially when horses from different sources are commingled.

Both EHV-1 and EHV-4 spread via coughing horses, by direct and indirect contact with nasal secretions and, in the case
 of EHV-1 abortion, contact with aborted fetuses, fetal/placental fluids and the placenta. Horses can have latent infections and may not show clinical signs, but may experience reactivation of infection and shed the virus when stressed. Those factors compromise efforts to control these diseases and explain why outbreaks of EHV-1 or EHV-4 can occur in closed populations.

Clinical signs of the respiratory form of EHV-1/EHV-4 include:
Fever
Lethargy
Anorexia
Nasal discharge
Cough
EHV-1 also causes:
Epidemic abortion in mares
The birth of weak non-viable foals
Sporadic paralytic neurologic disease
 (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy — EHM) secondary to vasculitis of the spinal cord and brain

Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)

Caused by Neorickettsia risticii (formerly Ehrlichia risticii)
 and originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) has since been identified in various other geographic locations in the United States and Canada. The disease is seasonal, occurring between late spring and early fall in temperate areas, with most cases in July, August and September at the onset of hot weather.

If PHF has been confirmed on a farm or in
 a particular geographic area, it is likely that additional cases will occur in future years. Foals appear to have a low risk of contracting the disease.

Clinical signs are variable but may include:
Fever
Mild to severe diarrhea
Laminitis
Mild colic
Decreased abdominal sounds
Uncommonly, pregnant mares can abort

Caused by Neorickettsia risticii (formerly Ehrlichia risticii)
 and originally described in 1979 as a sporadic disease affecting horses residing in the eastern United States near the Potomac River, Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) has since been identified in various other geographic locations in the United States and Canada. The disease is seasonal, occurring between late spring and early fall in temperate areas, with most cases in July, August and September at the onset of hot weather.

If PHF has been confirmed on a farm or in
 a particular geographic area, it is likely that additional cases will occur in future years. Foals appear to have a low risk of contracting the disease.

Clinical signs are variable but may include:
Fever
Mild to severe diarrhea
Laminitis
Mild colic
Decreased abdominal sounds
Uncommonly, pregnant mares can abort

Strangles

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi var. equi) is the bacterium that causes the highly contagious disease strangles (also known as “distemper”). Strangles commonly affects young horses (weanlings and yearlings), but horses of any age can be infected. Vaccination against S. equi is recommended on premises where strangles is a persistent endemic problem or for horses that are expected to be at high risk of exposure.

The organism is transmitted by direct contact with infected horses or subclinical shedders, or indirectly by contact with people, water troughs, hoses, feed bunks, pastures, grooming equipment and even insects contaminated with nasal discharge from infected horses. S. equi has demonstrated environmental survivability, particularly in water sources and when protected from exposure to direct sunlight and disinfectants, and can be a source of infection for new additions to the herd.

Infection by S. equi induces a profound inflammatory response. Clinical signs may include:
Fever (102° to 106° F)
Difficulty swallowing or anorexia
Harsh, high-pitched breathing sound
Swollen lymph nodes (+/- abscessation)
Abundant nasal discharge with mucous and pus

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi var. equi) is the bacterium that causes the highly contagious disease strangles (also known as “distemper”). Strangles commonly affects young horses (weanlings and yearlings), but horses of any age can be infected. Vaccination against S. equi is recommended on premises where strangles is a persistent endemic problem or for horses that are expected to be at high risk of exposure.

The organism is transmitted by direct contact with infected horses or subclinical shedders, or indirectly by contact with people, water troughs, hoses, feed bunks, pastures, grooming equipment and even insects contaminated with nasal discharge from infected horses. S. equi has demonstrated environmental survivability, particularly in water sources and when protected from exposure to direct sunlight and disinfectants, and can be a source of infection for new additions to the herd.

Infection by S. equi induces a profound inflammatory response. Clinical signs may include:
Fever (102° to 106° F)
Difficulty swallowing or anorexia
Harsh, high-pitched breathing sound
Swollen lymph nodes (+/- abscessation)
Abundant nasal discharge with mucous and pus

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease caused by equine arteritis virus, an RNA virus that is found in horse populations in many countries. While typically not life-threatening to otherwise healthy adult horses, EVA can cause abortion in pregnant mares and, uncommonly, death in young foals; it can also establish a long-term carrier state in breeding stallions. While various horse breeds appear equally susceptible to EVA, the prevalence of infection can vary widely, with higher seropositivity rates occurring in Standardbreds and Warmbloods.

Abortion is a frequent sequel to infection in the unprotected pregnant mare. Young foals exposed to EVA can develop a life-threatening pneumonia or pneumoenteritis.

Clinical signs, if they occur, typically develop 3-7 days post-infection and are variable but may include:
Fever, depression
Anorexia
Dependent edema (lower limbs, scrotum and prepuce or mammary glands)
Localized or generalized urticaria (severe itching or hives)
Swelling above or around the eye
Conjunctivitis
Serous to mucoid nasal discharge

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease caused by equine arteritis virus, an RNA virus that is found in horse populations in many countries. While typically not life-threatening to otherwise healthy adult horses, EVA can cause abortion in pregnant mares and, uncommonly, death in young foals; it can also establish a long-term carrier state in breeding stallions. While various horse breeds appear equally susceptible to EVA, the prevalence of infection can vary widely, with higher seropositivity rates occurring in Standardbreds and Warmbloods.

Abortion is a frequent sequel to infection in the unprotected pregnant mare. Young foals exposed to EVA can develop a life-threatening pneumonia or pneumoenteritis.

Clinical signs, if they occur, typically develop 3-7 days post-infection and are variable but may include:
Fever, depression
Anorexia
Dependent edema (lower limbs, scrotum and prepuce or mammary glands)
Localized or generalized urticaria (severe itching or hives)
Swelling above or around the eye
Conjunctivitis
Serous to mucoid nasal discharge

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a major cause of infectious foal diarrhea and has been documented to cause 50 percent or more of foal diarrhea cases in some areas. While rotavirus diarrhea morbidity can be high (50 percent of susceptible foals), mortality is low (<1 percent) with veterinary intervention. Equine rotavirus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and damages the small intestinal villi, resulting in cellular destruction, maldigestion, malabsorption and diarrhea.

Vaccination of mares results in a significant increase in foals’ rotavirus antibody titers. Field trials of rotavirus vaccination in pregnant mares have shown a decrease in incidence and severity of foal diarrhea on farms that historically had annual rotaviral diarrhea cases. According to AAEP, other studies have shown increased rotavirus antibody in vaccinated mares' colostrum.

Rotavirus is a major cause of infectious foal diarrhea and has been documented to cause 50 percent or more of foal diarrhea cases in some areas. While rotavirus diarrhea morbidity can be high (50 percent of susceptible foals), mortality is low (<1 percent) with veterinary intervention. Equine rotavirus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and damages the small intestinal villi, resulting in cellular destruction, maldigestion, malabsorption and diarrhea.

Vaccination of mares results in a significant increase in foals’ rotavirus antibody titers. Field trials of rotavirus vaccination in pregnant mares have shown a decrease in incidence and severity of foal diarrhea on farms that historically had annual rotaviral diarrhea cases. According to AAEP, other studies have shown increased rotavirus antibody in vaccinated mares' colostrum.

Anthrax

Anthrax is a serious and rapidly fatal septicemic disease caused by proliferation and spread of the vegetative form of Bacillus anthracis in the body. Infection
 is acquired though ingestion, inhalation or contamination of wounds by soil-borne spores of the organism. Anthrax is encountered only in limited geographic areas where alkaline soil conditions favor its survival. Vaccination is indicated only for horses pastured in endemic areas.

Anthrax is a serious and rapidly fatal septicemic disease caused by proliferation and spread of the vegetative form of Bacillus anthracis in the body. Infection
 is acquired though ingestion, inhalation or contamination of wounds by soil-borne spores of the organism. Anthrax is encountered only in limited geographic areas where alkaline soil conditions favor its survival. Vaccination is indicated only for horses pastured in endemic areas.

Botulism

Botulism is caused by the exotoxin of Clostridium botulinum and typically occurs when horses eat decayed vegetable matter, animal carcasses or improperly prepared haylage or silage. Horses are extremely susceptible to the toxin, which is the most potent biological toxin known. It causes neuromuscular weakness that progresses to paralysis.

Death is due to respiratory paralysis. Treatment with antibiotics or antitoxin is helpful if given early in the course of the disease.

Clinical signs include:
Weakness
Muscle tremors
Protruding tongue
Stumbling and collapse
Frequent lying down
Drooping tail
Constipation
Paralysis

Anthrax is a serious and rapidly fatal septicemic disease caused by proliferation and spread of the vegetative form of Bacillus anthracis in the body. Infection
 is acquired though ingestion, inhalation or contamination of wounds by soil-borne spores of the organism. Anthrax is encountered only in limited geographic areas where alkaline soil conditions favor its survival. Vaccination is indicated only for horses pastured in endemic areas.

Clinical signs include:
Weakness
Muscle tremors
Protruding tongue
Stumbling and collapse
Frequent lying down
Drooping tail
Constipation
Paralysis

Merck Animal Health Vaccines

For years, horse owners have trusted our safe and effective line of equine vaccines as part of their veterinarian's recommended total healthcare program for their horses. Our products earn high marks for consistent quality, effectiveness, and reliability.

Prestige® V + WNV
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus
Aids in Reduction of:
Disease, encephalitis, and viremia caused by West Nile Virus
Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV), Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Prestige® V + VEE
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE)
Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV), Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring depending on risk for VEE)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Prestige® V
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus
Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV), Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Encevac® TC-4 + VEE
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE)
Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring depending on the risk of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Encevac® TC-4
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus
Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Encevac® T + WNV
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus
Aids in the Reduction of:
Disease, encephalitis, and viremia caused by West Nile Virus
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Encevac® T + VEE
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus, and Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis (VEE)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring depending on the risk of VEE)
Every 6 months (optional depending on the risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Encevac® T
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), Tetanus
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Prestige® II
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Control of:
Equine Influenza (EIV), Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4)
When to Use:
As an Equine Influenza (EIV)/Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4) booster every 6 months

Equi-Nile™
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Reduction of:
Disease, encephalitis, and viremia caused by West Nile Virus
When to Use:
Annual (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Super-Tet®
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Tetanus
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **
Injured horse (wounds, surgery, etc., if last dose not administered within 6 months)

EquiRab™
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Rabies
When to Use:
Pregnant mares 4-6 weeks prior to foaling **

Prodigy®
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) (Abortion)
When to Use:
5th, 7th and 9th months of pregnancy

Prestige®
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Control of:
Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4)
When to Use:
As an Equine Herpesvirus 1 & 4 (EHV-1 & 4) booster every 6 months

Flu Avert® I.N.
with Havlogen®‡

Aids in Prevention of:
Equine Influenza (EIV)
When to Use:
Annually (usually in spring)
Every 6 months (optional depending on risk)
Ideal for horses in high-risk situations

** Mare recommendations per AAEP vaccination guidelines

What is Havlogen® ?

Havlogen is Merck's exclusive adjuvant, benefits of which include:

  • Produces a booster effect stimulating higher, longer-lasting protection through the slow release of antigens
  • Allows concentration of antigen (a substance to which an immune response is mounted) while minimizing adverse reactions
  • Made from a filtration technology so advanced that vaccinations are 98% reaction free in field trials
  • Stays in suspension and doesn't settle to the bottom of vial for consistency and potency in each dose

Antigen Purification System

A vaccine must be safe. We developed the Antigen Purification System (APS) for removing unwanted protein and cellular debris from the vaccine antigen. By purifying the vaccines in this method, we reduce the debris that can cause undesirable injection site reactions in the horse.

Vaccine Chart

( Scroll Chart to view )

Merck Vaccine Tetanus WNV Rabies EEE/WEE VEE Influenza EHV-1/EHV-4 EHV-1/Abortion
Prestige® V + WNV
Prestige® V + VEE
Prestige® V
Encevac® TC-4 + VEE
Encevac® TC-4
Encevac® T + WNV
Encevac® T + VEE
Encevac® T
Prestige®II
Equi-Nile™
Super-Tet®
EquiRab™
Prodigy®
Prestige®
Flu Avert® I.N.
Download
Vaccine Chart

After Your Horse is Vaccinated

After your horse is vaccinated, monitor your horses closely for 1-2 hours and allow your horses free exercise if possible. Signs of post vaccination adverse reactions may include:

  • Heat, pain, or swelling at injection site
  • Lethargy
  • Fever
  • Rapid Respiration
  • Sweating
  • Hives
  • Colic

Adverse reactions are not always predictable and are inherent risks of vaccination. Therefore, it is recommended that horses not be vaccinated in the 2 weeks prior to shows, performance events, sales or domestic shipment. Some veterinarians may elect not to vaccinate horses within 3 weeks of international shipment.

If you notice any one or a combination of these signs
contact your veterinarian immediately.

Download Merck Equine
Vaccine Guarantee

Beyond Vaccinating

Vaccinations are only one part of a good infectious disease control program. Proper management practices along with vaccination can lower the incidence or severity of infectious diseases.

  • Reduce exposure to pathogens (e.g., keep buckets & equipment scrubbed clean)
  • Avoid contact with non-resident and sick horses
  • Isolate any horse showing signs of infectious disease
  • Avoid using community water tanks
  • Wash hands after touching other horses
  • Spray/Disinfect stalls at shows
  • Reduce stress factors (e.g., avoid long distance hauling)
  • Keep in well ventilated stalls & haul in well ventilated trailers
  • Follow a good nutritional feeding program
  • Enhance resistance to infectious disease by vaccination
  • Reduce exposure to infectious agents in the horse's environment:
    • High population density situations like breeding farms, sales or boarding facilities, and race tracks are often ideal places for transmission of infectious disease
  • Use good environmental and managerial practices
  • Examples of factors that can contribute to increased risk of infectious disease include:
    • Stress
    • Over-crowding
    • Parasitism
    • Poor nutrition
    • Inadequate sanitation
    • Inadequate ventilation
    • Contaminated water
    • Inadequate rodent, bird, and insect control
    • Movement of people, horses, vehicles, and/or equipment on and off facilities during infectious disease outbreaks

Vaccine Efficacy

  • Vaccines alone are not sufficient for the prevention of infectious disease
  • Vaccines serve to minimize the risk of infection but cannot prevent disease in all circumstances
  • Vaccinating your horse at the right time, well before exposure to viral and bacterial diseases is extremely important
  • Protection is not immediate after administration
  • Although rare, there is potential for adverse reactions despite proper handling and administration of vaccines
  • Vaccines alone are not sufficient for the prevention of infectious disease
  • Vaccines serve to minimize the risk of infection but cannot prevent disease in all circumstances
  • Vaccinating your horse at the right time, well before exposure to viral and bacterial diseases is extremely important
  • Protection is not immediate after administration
  • Although rare, there is potential for adverse reactions despite proper handling and administration of vaccines

Storage and Handling

  • Proper storage and handling is critical to vaccine efficacy & safety
  • Keep vaccines refrigerated and out of sunlight
  • Follow manufacturers' instructions
  • Proper storage and handling is critical to vaccine efficacy & safety
  • Keep vaccines refrigerated and out of sunlight
  • Follow manufacturers' instructions