Is Your Horse Protected?

Every horse in the United States has the potential to be exposed to every core disease. Much of it has to do with environment: Horses are usually in dirty, muddy surroundings (tetanus), in proximity to wildlife (rabies) and exposed to mosquitoes (WNV, EEE and WEE).

Many horses may be at greater risk of particular diseases, including equine herpesvirus EHV-4/1 and equine influenza. In these cases, a vaccine that protects against risk-based diseases—those that a particular horse is vulnerable to—is necessary based on what your veterinarian recommends.

Core diseases have a high mortality rate and are very difficult, if not impossible, to treat. But they’re easy to help prevent, since vaccines that protect against them are extremely effective. Here are five key reasons to talk with your veterinarian about Core EQ Innovator and Fluvac Innovator EHV-4/1 for your horse.

1. Demonstrated safety
   
   Safety is always a major concern when you vaccinate your horse. Some vaccines, such as rabies vaccines, have a history of increased reactions after vaccination.
   
   Core EQ Innovator, which protects against all five core diseases including rabies, has been shown in field safety studies to be 99.7% reaction-free.^2,3
   
   
2. Proven effectiveness
   
   In a study, giving Fluvac Innovator EHV-4/1 as a separate injection from Core EQ Innovator provided up to 4.7 times the immune response against equine influenza.¹ Plus, ongoing surveillance by the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky shows that Fluvac Innovator EHV-4/1 has been immunologically relevant against newly emerging strains of equine influenza virus.^4-10
   
   
3. Ideal vaccine timing
   
   Traditionally, veterinarians have vaccinated horses for core diseases (except rabies) and influenza in the spring and performed rabies vaccinations and dental checkups in the fall. The AAEP now recommends vaccinating for all core diseases in early spring. Late spring and summer are peak times for wildlife that can carry rabies (for example, raccoons, skunks and foxes), as well as for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus, EEE or WEE, to infect your horse.
   
   Because of the time lag between a horse being bitten by a rabid animal and the appearance of clinical signs, it may not be until late fall or winter that clinical signs of rabies become evident. As a result, all horses should receive their rabies vaccination (as well as vaccinations for all core diseases) and a post-winter checkup in early spring. A second visit to conduct a dental exam can be made by your veterinarian each fall.
   
   
4. A customized vaccine schedule
   
   Separating core and risk-based vaccines allows your veterinarian to create a vaccine schedule that’s tailor-made for your horse and corresponds with their lifestyle—whether that’s traveling and needing both core and risk-based disease protection or living solo in a field and requiring protection against core diseases. By splitting core from risk-based vaccines, your horse gets a customized vaccination program against the diseases that are most likely to be a threat to them.
   
   
5. Peace of mind
   
   You love your horse, and your veterinarian wants to provide the best care possible. That partnership translates well to having your horse vaccinated with Core EQ Innovator and Fluvac Innovator EHV 4/1, which provides protection against both core and risk-based equine diseases. Rest assured, with The Perfect Pair, you can help protect your horse and lower the risk of disease. And, when you have your horse vaccinated by your veterinarian with Core EQ Innovator and Fluvac Innovator EHV-4/1, you qualify for the $5,000 Zoetis Equine Immunization Support Guarantee—the most comprehensive vaccination guarantee available.
   
   

Contact your local equine veterinarian now to schedule your horse’s early spring vaccine appointment.