Active Immunisation of Horses Against Tetanus Including the Booster Dose and Its Application

Abstract

Successful active immunisation of horses against tetanus is dependent on a number of factors of which the toxoid preparation used, its method of application and the ability of the individual horse to respond are fundamental. Two immunisation schedules using an aluminium-based toxoid preparation were examined and the protection determined by monitoring the level of antitoxin afforded by each schedule. The results obtained demonstrated that 2 doses of this toxoid are necessary to ensure 12 months protection in all horses. These results are discussed in relation to the factors involved in active immunisation against tetanus. Reference is also made to the occurrence of a transient phase of reduced levels of antitoxin following booster doses of toxoid in immunised horses during which it is considered these horses could become more susceptible to tetanus. The effect of a booster dose on immunised horses was examined and while there can be a reduction in the level of antitoxin in some immunised horses following this dose its effect is minimal, short-lived and for all practical purposes can be disregarded. The application of the booster dose in practice is also discussed.

Playing with fire – What is influencing horse owners’ decisions to not vaccinate their horses against deadly Hendra virus infection?

“…Tetanus in horses is well-recognised by horse owners as being highly fatal, the vaccine as being highly effective and its administration rarely associated with adverse events; it has also been in use for decades [19]. Of those respondents who vaccinated their horse or horses against tetanus in the current study, 92.6% had not observed any adverse effects.…”

Immunization strategies and seroprotection against tetanus in horses in central Germany

“…Da beide Pferde in der Vergangenheit weder kliImpfpraxis und Seroprotektion gegenüber Tetanus bei Pferden in Mitteldeutschland S. Recknagel et al Pferdeheilkunde 31 (2015) 474 nisch an Tetanus erkrankten, noch Tetanus-Antiserum erhielten, muss ein alternativer Antigenkontakt mit C. tetani stattgefunden haben. Denkbar wären subklinische Tetanusinfektionen, welche zur Sensibilisierung des Immunsystems mit Antikörpersynthese geführt haben (Habermann und Dimpfel 1973, Thein 2009 (Löhrer und Radvila 1970, Jansen und Knoetze 1979, Liefman 1981, Heldens et al 2001, Holmes et al 2006, Mülverstedt 2006, Rosskopf 2007, Stelzmann 2011 …”

“…Reliable information regarding the actual seroprotection against tetanus in an individual horse can only be achieved by determination of the antibody level, because the vaccination documents can be erroneous. (Green et al 1994, Reichmann et al 2008, van Galen et al 2009 (Löhrer und Radvila 1970, Jansen und Knoetze 1979, Liefman 1981, Heldens et al 2001, Holmes et al 2006, Mülversted 2006, Roßkopf 2007, Stelzmann 2011 (Holznagel et al 2003). Folglich befinden sich Fohlen vom 3. bis in den 8.…”

Equine immunology 4: Vaccines and antisera

“…The usual type of preparation used for vaccination is purified toxoid adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide. Liefman (1981), in a study of various vaccination programmes, concluded that an initial course of two doses of toxoid given four weeks apart was necessary to ensure 12 months' protection. Response to a booster dose given one year after the initial vaccination programme is rapid, being detectable in some horses within two days of vaccination.…”

“…Response to a booster dose given one year after the initial vaccination programme is rapid, being detectable in some horses within two days of vaccination. Liefman (1981) further recommends that booster doses thereafter be given at four to five year intervals.…”