I posted a question on here last night about my dog's symptoms and she was diagnosed with tetanus by her vet today. I know that it is extremely rare for dogs or cats to get tetanus but how rare is it? I also need to know if it is important to find the source of the tetanus infection (wound or other)?
2006-10-24 18:01:06 · 3 answers · asked by Tanya M 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
As you've said yourself, it is extremely rare (because dogs, cats and other carnivores are more resistant to tetanus than other species). I had a look through some of my texts and can't find anything more specific as far as frequency goes.
It's not at all important to find the source of the infection...Clostridium tetani, the organism that produces the toxin responsible, is bascially everywhere- it just needs the right conditions to proliferate. It's very hard to isolate the organism, and in any case by the time signs of tetanus appear the wound/entry point has often disappeared.
All the best- it sounds like you spotted your dog's signs and got treatment for her early on, so she should have a good chance of pulling through. Good luck :o)
2006-10-24 22:21:45 · answer #1 · answered by Loz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By law, they have to report the bite. Your neighbors are really going around telling everyone you are "mean"? Seriously? What are they 5 years old? You shouldn't be mortified, they should be. You did nothing wrong. They need to grow up. @Cody~ No. You have that backwards. Dogs don't walk around with rabies. They have to have the disease in order to pass it on to another mammal. And, you would know if the dog was rabid. And @Sophie~ really? You can't be serious. Dog bites can and DO get infected. In addition, a current tetanus shot is always recommended to ANYONE who is bit by an animal. The poster didn't think she was going to get some weird disease. It's common sense. What point is getting medical care if you lie to your providers. Think with your brain. This person should avoid treatment and put themselves at risk because of someone elses badly behaved dog? I think not. My dog is 15 and she doesn't go around biting people. And if she did, I would WANT the person to go to the doctor and make sure they were okay.
2016-05-22 12:10:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try looking up so info on tetanus here at these websites. Hope that they help you good luck. www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/tetanus.pdf www.woodhavenlabs.com/tetanus.html
2006-10-24 18:17:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋