Questions about banded buckling, need advice please

[LilFinnGirl]

Has he been vaccinated for tetanus? If not do so as soon as possible. At this point he will need antitoxin not toxoid.

Roger that. He has not been vaccinated. My local store does not have the antitoxin in stock currently, so will have to order it.

Fingers crossed it’s not too late…

 

[Stravager]

Roger that. He has not been vaccinated. My local store does not have the antitoxin in stock currently, so will have to order it.

Fingers crossed it’s not too late…

Typically tetanus shows signs 4-21 days after the injury. Continue to keep a good eye on him. Depending on how long it takes to order in you might want to call a vet clinic and ask if they have it on hand.
Sorry didn't think to ask about vaccination status earlier....

 

[cassie]

Roger that. He has not been vaccinated. My local store does not have the antitoxin in stock currently, so will have to order it.

Fingers crossed it’s not too late…

As a precautionary measure, you can start him on a course of penicillin. Clostridia, and tetanus is one, are susceptible to penicillin. If the area was clean when the band was applied, tetanus is unlikely, but I have lost animals to tetanus, and it is not fun.

 

[LilFinnGirl]

As a precautionary measure, you can start him on a course of penicillin. Clostridia, and tetanus is one, are susceptible to penicillin. If the area was clean when the band was applied, tetanus is unlikely, but I have lost animals to tetanus, and it is not fun.

Thank you for the info, I appreciate the guidance. Everything including him was cleaned/sanitized at the time of band application.

He seems to be his happy self this evening, playful and a good appetite. Does not feel warm or show swelling either at the site or in his joints. He’s the friendliest of the kids, the two little girls are quite shy.

 

[cassie]

Thank you for the info, I appreciate the guidance. Everything including him was cleaned/sanitized at the time of band application.

He seems to be his happy self this evening, playful and a good appetite. Does not feel warm or show swelling either at the site or in his joints. He’s the friendliest of the kids, the two little girls are quite shy.

No matter what get the antitoxin into him as soon as possible. When you go in to get the antitoxin, pick up a bottle of CD/T. You should vaccinate all of your goats with this. It protects against both tetanus and enterotoxemia. You will need to wait a while to give it to your wether. It may affect the immune protection of the tetanus antitoxin if given too soon after the tetanus antitoxin. Check with a vet to see when it can be administered to him.

 

[Susan Skylark]

Why does he need tetanus antitoxin? He isn’t showing signs of tetanus. Yes vaccinate him and if you are really worried a little penicillin won’t hurt (1-2 cc) but antitoxin is expensive and may cause an anaphylactic reaction and won’t do him any good since he doesn’t have tetanus! The band looks good, just give it time, and as long as he feels good, don’t worry! If he gets droopy/stiff then yes, antitoxin is needed but not until!

 

[cassie]

Why does he need tetanus antitoxin? He isn’t showing signs of tetanus. Yes vaccinate him and if you are really worried a little penicillin won’t hurt (1-2 cc) but antitoxin is expensive and may cause an anaphylactic reaction and won’t do him any good since he doesn’t have tetanus! The band looks good, just give it time, and as long as he feels good, don’t worry! If he gets droopy/stiff then yes, antitoxin is needed but not until!

Unfortunately, I have had a fair amount of experience with tetanus. You are right about this kid probably not needing antitoxin because tetanus spores are found in the soil and since the area was cleaned before the band was applied, there would be no exposure.

The following is just an FYI. I do hope no one ever needs it. If you wait to give antitoxin to an at-risk animal until that animal is showing symptoms, you and the animal are in for it. How much you are in for it depends on how early you detect it and start treatment. The antitoxin will stop the progression fairly soon, but the symptoms will not resolve themselves until they resolve. That may be over several days.

The first sign is maybe some droopiness and depression, and then stiffness. The ears and the tail will be stiff fully erect. Stiffness in the neck appears fairly soon. Give antitoxin and penicillin immediately. Call the vet to check but it is unlikely that one vial is going to do it. Good nursing is critical.

 

[LilFinnGirl]

Update:
Was able to order and give the anti-toxin and have had no signs of any issues.

The scrotum has not dropped yet, but is a hard leathery disk.

Everyone seems happy and active.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!