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Strangles Vaccine Reaction

Last post 11-17-2011 3:59 PM by Emolee. 6 replies.
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  • 11-15-2011 4:05 PM

    Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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    Heyyyy~

    So, Jaybird is feeling a little under the weather this week. Totally understandable; I gave him his Strangles Booster on Saturday, and the last time he had it, it made him rather mopey for a few days, and there was swelling at the injection site.

    However, it's been almost 4 days since he received the booster, and there is still a pretty large bump on his shoulder (it sticks out about a half-inch from his muscle) and it's very hard.

    I contacted by veterinarian about it, and they told me that they didn't recommend giving the vaccine in the shoulder. Well, actually... I called them specifically to ask where to inject it a week prior, and they told me they recommended the shoulder. *headdesk* They told me not to worry, but if the swelling increased, it was most likely developing into an abscess.

    Any thoughts on this? I feel like my vet let me down, and now I'm worried about my boy. He is turned out every day, so he isn't cooped up, and I was instructed that movement is good. But is there anything I can do for him to alleviate the swelling? It doesn't seem too incredibly tender yet.
        No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. - Winston Churchill

  • 11-15-2011 4:24 PM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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    Who did you talk to the first time? If it was not the same person that told you, the 2nd time, that the shoulder was not a good place for the booster you should call the vet again and tell them about one person giving out poor info to clients. I'm sure the vet would want to know that not all of the staff is knowledgeable. I've never seen a vet give any injection in the shoulder. Someone needs to be call on the carpet for that slip.

    Come to think of it, even it WAS the same person who gave you completely different info on injections, somebody should know about that. Ask to talk to the office manager, or the vet herself.
    Megan


    		"The horse you get off is not the horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better."

    Anonymous

  • 11-15-2011 4:57 PM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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    I informed them of the mishap; they in turn told me it would be taken care of. I have always given vaccines in the shoulder as per veterinarians. They simply told me that they don't recommend this particular vaccine being given in the shoulder. 

    I'm gunshy about the intra-nasal because I had a friend's horse who was killed using the intra-nasal. The mare had an adverse reaction and suffocated.
        No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. - Winston Churchill

  • 11-15-2011 7:50 PM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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     Adverse reactions are disproportionately common with the strangles vaccine, which is why I don't give it.  It is also not a particularly effective vaccine and I have watched it fail, so in the future, I would recommend skipping it.

    As for your horse -- are there other symptoms besides the lump?  Does he have a fever, heat at the injection site, etc?  I have never seen an injection given in the shoulder itself, given the relative lack of muscle in this area.  An intra-muscular vaccine should be given in exactly that:  a large muscle.  If the horse shows fever or heat, I would have the vet out immediately, since, as you already know, side-effects from this particular shot can be very serious.  



    Solaris -- 16 hh Appendix Quarter Horse = MY DREAM COME TRUE!
    We Are Flying Solo

  • 11-16-2011 10:47 AM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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    Solaris - 

    Other than feeling a little puny, he has no other symptoms. When I was out at the barn last night he was acting much more like his typical self, and it looked as if the swelling had receded slightly. I'll give it a couple more days before I enter panic mode. :| 

    I received a call from my vet with a sincere apology. Apparently the tech that answered my question on the phone was fresh out of school; I'm not furious, we all make mistakes. But I have resolved to not talk to the techs anymore and stick with the actual Veterinarians. 


    On a completely unrelated note... I'm having a fangirl moment, Solaris. I read your blog every day and just... you inspire me. Truly. I'm loving your adventures with Encore too!
        No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. - Winston Churchill

  • 11-16-2011 11:15 AM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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     Awwwe, thanks, Em!  And I am very glad to hear that pony is feeling much better, hopefully he will go back to normal with no further issues!



    Solaris -- 16 hh Appendix Quarter Horse = MY DREAM COME TRUE!
    We Are Flying Solo

  • 11-17-2011 3:59 PM In reply to

    Re: Strangles Vaccine Reaction

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    :)



    update; swelling is down more. He's feeling more like himself too. I think I worried for nothing. xD
        No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. - Winston Churchill

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