Dr. Ryan's Geriatric Immunology presentation from Badger Veterinary Hospital's Caring for Your Geriatric Horse February 13, 2013 client education seminar.
3. Equine Geriatric Population
Maximum lifespan is
35-40 years
15% of the equine
population over 20
years of age (1997)
4. “Age is not a disease”
But with age come
some changes:
Decline in body
condition and muscle
tone
Changes to the
immune system can
lead to increased
infection
5. Immune System:
White Blood Cells
Neutrophils- eat invading organisms
Macrophages- eat invading organisms
Lymphocytes- make “memory” responses
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity/index.html
10. “Immunosenescence”
A decline in immune function and immune
response that occurs with aging.
Researchers believe immunosenescence
accounts for the increase in cancer and
infections such as influenza and pneumonia
in people of old age.
11. White Blood Cells in the Elderly
Decreased numbers of
lymphocytes
Decreased function of
lymphocytes
12. Immunization Responses in the Elderly
Decreased response to immunization
Decreased duration of immune response
13. Geriatric Horses
Reduced response to immunization with
Rabies and Influenza vaccines
14. Vaccinating Geriatric Horses
In the past, some people recommended not
vaccinating geriatric horses, or not
vaccinating them as frequently
Geriatric horses need to be vaccinated!!
15. Supporting the Geriatric Immune
System
Keep adequate (but not too high) body condition
Adequate parasite control
Reduce exposure to infection
Minimize stress
Vaccinate according to risk
No proven benefit to using immune stimulants in
geriatric horses (yet)
Nutrition