Vaccination and De-Worming Schedule for Pregnant Mares

Vaccinating pregnant mares serves a dual purpose.  First it boosters the mares own immunity, offering her protection and secondly it will stimulate better antibody production in the mares colostrums, providing the newborn foal with a stronger immunity against diseases.

• Sleeping Sickness, Tetanus, Rhino and Influenza vaccinations should be given in the spring approximately 30 days prior to foaling.

• West Nile Virus vaccinations should be given 30 days prior to foaling if the mare has previously received her initial 2 shot series. (1^st West Nile followed by a booster 3-6 weeks later)  If the mare has had no West Nile vaccinations at 60 to 90 days before foaling and again  30 to 60 days before foaling.  These two West Nile vaccinations need to be at lease 3 weeks apart and not more than 6 weeks apart.

• Influenza and Rhino should be given every 2-6 months depending on exposure to new animals.  Pregnant mares are routinely vaccinated for Rhino (EHV-1) at 5, 7, and 9 months; this will decrease the possibility of late term abortions due to Rhino infections.  There are different Rhino vaccines available for pregnant mares.  Consult your Veterinarian on which Rhino vaccine should be administered to best suit your mares’ circumstances.

• Endovac is optional for pregnant mares.  It is given to offer the newborn foal a stronger immunity against the bacterial causes of foal diarrheas.  This will not prevent foal diarrhea which is a natural occurrence in foals.  If elected to give, it should be administered to naïve mares at 60 days and again at 30 days prior to foaling.  If the mare had been vaccinated with Endovac during previous pregnancies, only one dose is given at 30 days prior to foaling.

• Streptococcus Equi (Strangles) is also optional for pregnant mares.  This vaccine follows the same protocol as Endovac.  We would only recommend the intra-nasal vaccine and not recommend any intra-muscular form of this vaccine.

• There are different de-worming protocols available:

1.      Routine fecal examinations (every 2 to 3 months) and tailor their de-worming schedule according to these fecal exams.

2.      De-Worm every 2-3 months, rotating between different types of de-worming products throughout the year.

Daily de-worm with Strongid-C.