Got a question about tetanus, just out of curiousity

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Mary Plummer
Posts: 908
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:29 am
Location: Michigan

Got a question about tetanus, just out of curiousity

Post by Mary Plummer »

Hello all,

Fortunately, this isn't because Mr. Blue cut himself outside! Actually, I did, while walking Mr. Blue yesterday morning. I took a tumble and sliced up the bottom of one of my hands pretty good. I realized it had been 11-12 years since my last tetanus shot, so I went in to our clinic and got the shot. They cleaned my hand well (no stitches necessary, fortunately!). They said it was good that I remembered I needed a new tetanus shot, because they really are only good for 10 years, so they said. Anyway, it got me wondering again about why dogs don't need tetanus shots. I know they don't/can't get them, but I unfortunately don't remember why. Poor Mr. Blue was pretty upset when I fell. He squealed and ran over to kiss my face until I got up again. this morning, he walked very slowly and carefully; I don't think he wanted to get too far ahead of me in case I fell again. You'd think he'd be used to my klutziness by now; he's seen me take a lot of falls :D
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oconnorjoy
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 12:06 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Got a question about tetanus, just out of curiousity

Post by oconnorjoy »

Hi Mary...wow, are you ok? I don't know much about tetnaus shots for dogs..hopefully someone will enlighten us. Your Mr. Blue sounds like he wants to make sure you don't fall again. Bamm Bamm, Pebbles, and Susie say Hi!
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Mary Plummer
Posts: 908
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:29 am
Location: Michigan

Re: Got a question about tetanus, just out of curiousity

Post by Mary Plummer »

Thanks oconnorjoy...I'm fine! I'm just keeping my hand clean and bandaged for a couple of days. Poor Mr. Blue has seen me fall and injure myself before, so he really should be used to his klutzy ol' Mama's habits! I'd forgotten about how a tetanus shot makes the arm it was given in ache for a while. It's really not too bad, though.

Mr. Blue says hello to Bamm Bamm, Pebbles, and Susie too, and wants to invite them over to hunt rabbits with him; they're everywhere these days!
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davet
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Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 6:09 pm
Location: philadelphia

Re: Got a question about tetanus, just out of curiousity

Post by davet »

i had seen three cases in dogs in 45 years...one was a spay that we did ane the dog was let out in the yard that was fertilized with horse manure....very very loaded with tetanus....dog died, another from a dog that was hit by a train, and came in with the tetanic symptons==rigidness, shaking Rhisis Sardonica, save him...the third i forget but it is not routine to give tetas vacs to dogs cause it is so rare---there may be other reasons but that is the one i am aware of....i was told by and MD friend after mylast bite that if a human has three vacs in a life time he/she has lasting immunity, but he gave me my fith shot anyway..
doga around stable should be given tetanus vac, if there is one approved for dogs now...
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