Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Vaccination Reaction
Summary
Vaccination reactions are fairly common in horses, and usually result in local swelling, soreness, reduced appetite and depressed attitude.
Less common but more severe allergic reactions to vaccines may result in hives full-blown body-wide anaphylaxis, which develop suddenly and can be life threatening. Blood pressure can drop dramatically. Horses can have trouble breathing or have diarrhea or colic. Usually, rapid treatment is needed in order to save the horse.
New vaccines are tested to reduce adverse reactions but there is always a possibility of reaction. If a horse has reacted once to a vaccine, the reaction could be more serious the next time. Your vet will keep a record of this reaction to prevent similar problems in the future. They may discuss vaccine alternatives with you. If the reaction is severe, they may discuss the problem with the vaccine manufacturer.
Less common but more severe allergic reactions to vaccines may result in hives full-blown body-wide anaphylaxis, which develop suddenly and can be life threatening. Blood pressure can drop dramatically. Horses can have trouble breathing or have diarrhea or colic. Usually, rapid treatment is needed in order to save the horse.
New vaccines are tested to reduce adverse reactions but there is always a possibility of reaction. If a horse has reacted once to a vaccine, the reaction could be more serious the next time. Your vet will keep a record of this reaction to prevent similar problems in the future. They may discuss vaccine alternatives with you. If the reaction is severe, they may discuss the problem with the vaccine manufacturer.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis for simple local inflammatory types of reactions is good. The prognosis for full-blow anaphylactic allergic reaction is always guarded, as they often require immediate and appropriate treatment.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
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Sick or Depressed Soon after Vaccinating
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Heat, Swelling or Pain at Injection Site
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Difficulty Breathing, Struggles for Breath
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Hesitant to Walk on Hard Surfaces
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Not Eating, Loss of Appetite, Not Hungry
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Abdominal Pain, Colic Signs
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Manure is Watery, Diarrhea (in Adult)
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Difficulty Reaching Nose Down to Ground To Eat
Less Common
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- Does the fact that the horse reacted this time mean it cannot be vaccinated for that disease again?
- Can the horse be "pre-treated" with an anti-inflammatory to reduce overreaction to the vaccine?
- Can a different brand of vaccine be used, possibly with a different carrier?
- Since the horse has reacted to a vaccine intended to immunize for several diseases, can these be broken up into separate shots for each disease?
Prevention
If a horse has a reaction to a vaccine, consider changing the vaccine type or pretreat with an anti-inflammatory before administering again.
Have your vet vaccinate your horse instead of doing it on your own.