This message is from: "The Mercers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My mare, Reina, had a mild reaction to the first injection but no reaction to the second injection. I gave the injection in the neck and there was some heat and swelling at the site but it was gone after a week and no abscess formed.
Reina also has had the same reaction to the Ft. Dodge Rhino/Flu vaccine so it may be her systems response and not the WNV vaccine. Gayle Ware will be giving her the vaccines/WNV booster this month and in a different location so we'll see if she has a reaction this time. So far, Reina's was the only reaction my vet had seen. As far as the birds dying before they reach Alaska - don't count on it. As a falconer and raptor rehabilitator I can tell you that birds can be carriers without dying. Last year was horrific and we're not looking forward to the guaranteed spread of WNV this year. Taffy Mercer -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jean Ernest Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 9:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: West Nile vaccine reactions? This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Has anybody witnessed or heard of horses having bad reactions to the West Nile Vaccine? Here in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Interior of Alaska many of the horse peoople are debating whether to give the West Nile Shots this year. One vet has been pushing it aggressively, stating that she won't treat your horse unless you get the WNV shots. $30 per shot. recommends 3 shots. Another vet doesn't think it will come to Alaska as he thinks infected birds will die before they arrive on migration. He will give the shots, but doesn't think it is necessary. Also charges $30 per shot. Another vet who sort of does his own thing, the "bush vet" (he travels out to the remote villages and is generaly much cheaper than the other vets, so they tried to run him out) will charge only $22/shot but doesn't think it is necessary to do it this year. Then, one horse owner said that she was at one barn in Washington state where she witnessed horses having bad reactions from the WNV shots. She got the shots anyway because she uses the vet who woldn't treat her horses unless she got the shots. Those here with a large number of horses can't see the point of spending $60+ per horse to get shots that may never be needed. Others worry about bad reactions to the shots. So the jury is out! What to do? Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, sunny days but cold nights..+30 today. Ravens have been picking up gobs of Fjord hair and flying off with it to their nests. ************************************************************ Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
