Biosecurity at the B&W Equine Hospital

We ask all horse owners to do the following prior to bringing their horse to the hospital:

1. Check your horse’s equine influenza vaccination status. Horses are considered up to date with their vaccines if they have had a vaccine booster (or finished their initial series) in the last 12 months.
2. However, if they are coming close to the end of that period eg. if the flu vaccination is due around the time of the appointment, we would prefer (but not insist), that a booster be given before the appointment, ideally at least 7 days before, as this will allow the vaccine to ‘work’.
3. If the horse has never been vaccinated and the appointment can be delayed, then we advise & request that your horse has at least one vaccination using ProteqFlu and wait one week before admission.
4. Take your horse’s temperature and check them over before leaving home. Please contact the hospital if your horse has a temperature of more than 38.5 degC, is coughing or has a nasal discharge, or if any other horses on the same premises have these signs. We will be able to advise you on what you need to do, in conjunction with your regular vet. It may be that your horse cannot be admitted when scheduled if he/she is presenting with these symptoms.
5. Please remember to bring your horse’s passport with you – we may not be able to admit your horse without this.
6. Except in the case of emergencies, admission to the hospital may have to be delayed for unvaccinated horses. Our vets will be able to advise you on what you need to do to enable your horse to be admitted. 

On admission to the hospital:

1. All passports will be checked for the horse’s vaccination status. This will be noted on our clinical records for your horse.
2. All horses will be examined on arrival (at the lorry/trailer) for symptoms of flu. We may run further tests if we consider them necessary.
3. Owners will be asked about your horse’s recent travel/competition history as well as the health of horses he/she has been in contact with.

Unvaccinated horses

It may be necessary to admit unvaccinated horses to the hospital, especially in an emergency. We can assure all owners that we have strict protocols and additional biosecurity in place, as well as a purpose built isolation unit, to enable us to treat these horses, whilst minimising the risk to other horses within the hospital.

If you have any questions or concerns about your horse being admitted to the hospital, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01453 811867 or email enquiries@bwequinevets.co.uk