Horses Get West Nile Vaccine Early

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Veterinarians are advising horse owners in Iowa and Nebraska to get their animals vaccinated early this year.

Pottawattamie County had the third-highest rate of West Nile virus cases among horses last year.

So this year, Debbie Samson, of Woodland Trail Stables, said she and other horse owners aren't taking any chances.

"We usually vaccinate the first week of April," Samson said. "This year we vaccinated the first part of March."

Dr. Bill Rishel of the Glenwood Vet Clinic said last year was a tough lesson for horse owners -- a lesson that has been keeping him busy.

"[Last year] turned out to be much more severe than anyone predicted," Rishel said. "2002 was over 10 times as many cases as in years past."

It was such a bad year for West Nile virus that Samson decided to change her policy from conditional use to being required for all horses.

"I strongly recommended it this year if someone wants to board a horse here -- it's mandatory," Samson said.

There are no indications that this year will be as deadly for humans and animals, but early vaccinations are the best prevention, according to Rishel.

"We don't know what our weather will be, don't know what West Nile virus will be, just know what last year was," Rishel said.

Samson said she had one horse come down with the virus that was one of a few which had not been vaccinated.

Fortunately for that horse, it was a mild case and the animal fully recovered.

About 40 of the horses at Samson's stable have received their shots, except for Black, who was brought to the stables after the initial vaccinations were given.

Even without the vaccination some horses can survive a bite from an infected mosquito, according to Rishel, but you never know which can take the bite. So, veterinarians say vaccines are the safest route.