Cheap Vaccines: You Get What You Pay For
In some areas, vaccines are readily available from multiple sources, including the internet. Some people like to purchase vaccines and administer them to their horses themselves in order to save money. But are the savings really worth the risk? Here are some things to consider:
Your veterinarian obtains vaccines through a reputable distribution system, which ensures quality control, tracking of products, and proper shipping and storage conditions. When you buy vaccines from other sources(especially the internet), you don't have that same level of assurance. Vaccines that have been improperly handled may not be effective.- Some sources of vaccines and drugs are of questionable quality - in these cases you can't always be sure that you are even getting what you think you ordered. Ineffective vaccines or contaminated products are a concern. It's not saving you money if the vaccine doesn't work!
- While uncommon, vaccine reactions do occur. If your horse has an anaphylactic (severe allergic) reaction after being vaccinated, the reaction usually happens right away. The horse's chances of survival are much greater if your veterinarian is there, because the needed expertise, drugs and equipment are readily available. If you administered the vaccine yourself, your horse may die by the time a veterinarian arrives.
- If your horse develops any problems associated with a vaccine administered by your veterinarian, the manufacturer may get involved and assist with the problem. This will NOT happen if you buy the vaccine from another source and give it yourself.
- Rabies vaccines MUST be given by a veterinarian. (In some areas it's illegal for a non-veterinarian to even possess rabies vaccine.) A horse that has received a rabies vaccine from a non-veterinarian is considered unvaccinated by public health authorities. If an unvaccinated animal is exposed to rabies, the repercussions may be much more severe, and may even include euthanasia.
- Vaccination is just one part of your horse’s "wellness program". Some of the pressure for people to vaccinate their own pets is a failure of the veterinary profession to adequately emphasize the importance of preventive medicine, of which vaccines are just one component. Simply charging an owner for "annual vaccines" leads people to want to vaccinate their pets themselves because they can get the vaccines for much less money. Veterinarians need to emphasize that what they are charging for (and what is the most important component of the preventative medicine program) is an annual physical examination and health consultation, and that only a small portion of the fee is for the vaccines.
Vaccination is a minor component of your horse's preventive medicine program. A careful physical examination and consultation about potential, developing and ongoing health issues are the most important parts of this program. Even if you vaccinate your horse yourself (which is still not recommended for the reasons above), it is still critical that your horse has an annual examination. It's better for your horse's health, and it can be easier and cheaper in the long run because problems can be detected and treated early.
This equIDblog entry was originally posted (in modified format) on the Worms & Germs blog on 16-Oct-08.
