Hi Aelise: If you have captive swans, which means presumably, they are placed on a private lake or pond, you need the swans to be vaccinated against Botulism. Botulism occurs after a heavy rain or drought in which anearobic bacteria and their toxins are stirred up so that the swans are able to eat from areas that the normally could not access. Any body of water has the propensity of developing Botulism outbreaks, regardless of where they are located. If there is a summer season with hot temperatures, droughts and flood, Botulism should not be dismissed.

West Nile Virus also does not seem to manifest itself in extremely cold temperatures, but rather seems to be more of a warmer climate issue. Whether to use the vaccine in swans is totally dependent upon the increased prevalence of the disease in your area, outbreak of mosquito populations as well as findings of the disease in avian populations (both swan and non-swan species).

Encephalitis is another disease that can be prevented through the use of certain drugs. The major issues is whether the disease is bacterial or viral which will determine the course of prophylactic or treatment measures.

Conversely, Avian Flu, Duck Viral Enteritis, and other cold temperature related illnesses should also be considered when vaccines are being discussed.

The Regal Swan research staff pioneered the use of the vaccines to mitigate swan deaths from Botulism and West Nile Virus. While in England, we vaccinated more than 900 wild swans in Abbotsbury Swannery against Duck Viral Enteritis. So, we are very familiar with these three vaccines and the illnesses that occur when the vaccines are not utilized. However, the use of vaccines should be monitored and supervised by licensed veterinarians because the type of vaccine used (genetically altered or live) can also present problems if not dispensed correctly. The Regal Swan