As we know, weaning can be stressful, frequently resulting in temporary periods of decreased weight gain, diarrhea, and potentially suppressed immunity. The likelihood of developmental orthopedic disorders, such as osteochondritis dissecans, increases if weanlings aren’t fed properly during this transition period.

“Whether it is the sick Thoroughbred racehorse or foal suffering from sepsis or toxic shock syndrome, a dog with acute pancreatitis in terrible pain, a cat after being struck by a car, or a dog poisoned from accidentally eating his owner’s pill bottles, the pathophysiology is remarkably similar to what is seen in humans, with a similar lack of available effective therapies.”

Horses in closed herd situations may require fewer respiratory vaccines than horses competing or traveling to group activities. Respiratory diseases are risk-based equine diseases, so be sure to consider your horse’s risk factors when determining to vaccinate or not.