Can I Use the Bovine Lepto Vaccine on my Horse?
Infected wildlife and domestic animals are the primary source for disease spread, as they can shed leptospires in their urine directly into water sources. | Photo: iStock

Q: I noticed the new equine leptospirosis vaccine is good against the Leptospira pomona strain only. I’ve been using Leptoferm 5 (the leptospirosis vaccine for swine and cattle) on my horses to get broad-spectrum coverage. Since I’ve been using this, I haven’t had a case and have had no bad reactions. We have cattle on the farm, as well.

Why do you never recommend this, as I’ve been using it for decades after having lost some foals to leptospirosis previously? –Peggy Conroy, Upstate New York

A: Thanks for your excellent question about the new equine leptospirosis vaccine. Zoetis’ Lepto EQ Innovator is the only USDA-licensed vaccine for leptospirosis in the horse and has been demonstrated to be very safe for use in horses. There are anecdotal reports of possible vaccine-induced uveitis and skin reactions related to using the cattle vaccine on the horse

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