ENDOVAC-Equi® for active immunity
No vaccine can prevent an intestine from being blocked or twisted nor a mare’s placenta from being retained. Horses vaccinated with ENDOVAC-Equi®, however, develop anti-endotoxin antibodies which neutralize the deadly endotoxins released during such a crisis. This reduction of endotoxins keeps the patient alive and allows corrective treatment to be more successful, according to veterinarians who use ENDOVAC-Equi® routinely.
Questions & Answers
What is the recommended injection site for ENDOVAC-Equi®?
The general recommendation is intramuscularly. However, when compared to other intramuscular injection sites, intragluteal administration results in longer lasting and more pronounced local responses.
Why is ENDOVAC-Equi® not recommended to be used during the active training periods?
Stress due to active training is known to create some immune suppression in the horse. Vaccination during active training is not recommended because of the potential for reduced immune responses. Horses in training should be vaccinated during the “off season” or during a rest period and allowed to exercise freely following vaccination.
How long should you wait following the use of corticosteroids or progesterone to administer ENDOVAC-Equi®?
The time that steroids last in the system varies greatly between compounds. Some clear the system in as little as 48 hours, others may last 2 weeks. It is generally recommended that there should be a 30 day interval between steroid administration and vaccination to allow adequate time for steroids to clear and the immune system to recover.
Why avoid concurrent use of ENDOVAC-Equi® with progesterone and/or steroids?
It is inappropriate to administer vaccine while an animal is receiving concurrent therapy because the effects of exogenous steroids added to those endogenously produced as a result of vaccination are often enough to significantly suppress an immune response.
How long should you wait to use ENDOVAC-Equi® following an acute episode of laminitis or endotoxemia?
It is recommended that a period of 4-6 weeks be allowed following acute endotoxemia prior to using any vaccine. This gives the horse a chance to fully recover from the stress of disease and to restore its immune system to normal. Horses suffering from chronic laminitis should not be vaccinated with ENDOVAC-Equi®.
How safe is ENDOVAC-Equi®?
ENDOVAC-Equi® has been tested in thousands of horses and is safe for horses six months of age. Infield safety studies, ENDOVAC-Equi® was given in a variety of situations and resulted in no anaphylaxis, abscesses or large swellings. Most horses did exhibit some tenderness at the injection site for 24-48 hours. Practitioners participating in these field studies compared the severity of the transient tenderness to that associated with other vaccines.
Why should I consider using ENDOVAC-Equi®
It is well documented that endotoxin-mediated disease is the #1 cause of death in horses, with mortality exceeding 50%. In the neonate, Salmonella sp. and E. coli are common causes of endotoxemias secondary to failure of passive transfer. The mortality rate may exceed that of the adult. To make a comparison, the mortality associated with Streptococcus equi, rhinopneumonitis and influenza combined is estimated at only 2-3%.