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Discussion on West Nile - Foal
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Member:
Fouch
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Posted on Saturday, Jan 18, 2003 - 3:25 pm:
Is it better to vaccinate the mare about four weeks before foaling and hope there is passive transfer or should you just wait and vaccinate both the mare and the foal after foaling? If so, at what age can you vaccinate the foal?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 - 9:38 am:
Hello Scott,
It depends on the risk over the next 5 months of contracting the disease. If currently the risk for the next 5 months is very low, I would wait and vaccinate the foal at 3 months of age. The mare could be done anytime after the foal is born. This avoids the problem of when a foal of a vaccinate mare can be effectively vaccinated. We hope to have the answer to this question this spring.
DrO
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Member:
Fouch
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Posted on Sunday, Jan 19, 2003 - 12:27 pm:
I am not sure how to evaluate the risk. I live in Missouri and West Nile was confirmed in horses in our county last Fall for the first time. I have three foals due February 15 and one due March 20.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Jan 20, 2003 - 6:36 am:
Ask your veterinarian Scott, he should be well acquainted with the conditions in your area. Also the article on West Nile links to a map that keeps up with the incidence across the US by county. This will help you assess the risk.
DrO
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