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."
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?
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.