Tetanus

Can anyone clear up for me the difference between tetanus toxoid and tetanus antitoxin? What should I be giving? Both? My vet took care of my goats last year but I would like to become more independent. Rural King has both and also a separate Clostridium Perfringes. Haven't shopped around any of the other vet supply places in town yet.

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  • Since tetanus enters the body through a wound, did they find a wound? Diagnosing tetanus is rather challenging, although goats do suffer severe rigidity of muscles when they have it, and that looks pretty peculiar. Goat Medicine says, "There are no characteristic laboratory abnormalities in tetanus and no definitive necropsy findings, as the neurologic lesion is functional rather than physical. ... Because the organism may be present in tissues without causing disease, this supports but does not confirm the diagnosis."

  • The goat that died was 15 months so not a kid.
  • How common is it for a goat to die from tetanus? Friend who has Nigerians sent 2 off to new owner. 6 months later one died of tetanus. I know it is possible but the goat had been a weak baby, I feel her goats are copper deficient and I wonder if anything else looks like tetanus?
  • Some people would give a tetanus booster in this very situation, even if it was not due yet. So, there is no reason for you to delay giving it after an injury.
  • I am preparing to give CdT vaccines to my goats today. I have been doing hoof trimming and made my wether bleed some. Can I still give vaccine today?

  • Toxoid is a vaccine. Antitoxin is what you give to treat an animal that may have been exposed to tetanus.

    Most people who vaccinate simply give CDT, which includes tetanus and clostridium. However, not everyone vaccinates. If you do, you should also have a bottle of epinephrine on hand in case of an anaphylactic reaction.
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