06/14/2022
We are compiling together a head count for the Potomac Horse Fever vaccine which will be given starting the end of July. Please contact us to let us know if you would like to vaccinate for PHF or not. You can read the article below which pertains to PHF & your options for administering & wether or not you want to vaccinate for PHF. If you happen to have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to ask us.
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) is caused by an organism in the Erlichiaea Family. PHF is caused by more then one strain. Current vaccines are only made using one strain, which likely explains its lack of efficacy in some cases. PHF has a seasonal presentation with highest cases in August & September. Vaccination is not optimal, but we may want to consider vaccination as it does lessen the severity of the disease. The vaccine has a very limited range of protection which peaks according to sources, two months after inoculation. By three months, the efficacy (protection) can be reduced by 70%. Direct transmition from horse to horse does NOT occur. Clinical signs of PHF are fever, anorexia, colic, depression, diarrhea, & laminitis. Oxytetracycline is the drug of choice to treat PHV. The treatment protocol is 3-5 days given intravenously. Our plan & recommendation is if your considering the vaccine, we would like to have you vaccinate in mid-July. These could be administered by us, by our technician, or you can administer by yourself. A booster could be done as well at the end of August. The logistics & expense of this plan if we were to administer would be cost prohibited. This is why we have no problem dropping off the vaccine or having our technician administer them. If you have any questions regarding Potomac Horse Fever, please don't hesitate to ask. Our goal is to provide the best possible care for your horse.