Tetnus shot

Anyone know where I can take Hailey (my dog) to get a tetnus shot asap this morning?

Re: Tetnus shot

How is your dog? What did you do? What did your dog step on?

I don't think they give dogs tetanus shots b/c last year my dog stepped on a carpet tack thingy outside and I called the vet worried about tetanus.

I was told that animals rarely ever get tetanus, unlike humans, that they are sort of immune to it. I hope that was true, as the vet told me that (not my vet, he was out but the covering vet told me this).

Call your vet to see what they say, please and let me know if it matches what my vet said. I hope your dog is ok.

Re: Tetnus shot

Thank you so much for asking. She's fine. I didn't get a chance to post the story yesterday because I spent the day trying to find a place that had a tetanus shot and trying to work at the same time!

On Sunday, I let her out in the backyard. DS and I were in the front when when heard her yelping and crying. Ran to the back and she was at the door. I let her in and she seemed fine. Then, a little later, I saw her limping and she was holding up her paw. I thought she twisted her ankle or something but when I took a closer look, she was bleeding and there was a hole in the webbing of her toes!!!!

So, we cleaned out the wound with peroxide and kept an eye on it. It continued to bleed but it wasn't a lot. We cleaned it out again and got a better look and I decided she needed to see a vet. It looked bad and might need a stitch or two. I didn't want to go to the e-vet because I knew we'd be there all day and DH had to go to work at 2:30. I remembered seeing the vet inside petsmart open on the weekend. So, I called there and they took her right away. We went to Banfield at the petsmart in Farmingdale. They were very nice and took great care of her.

While I was there, DH went in the back yard to see if he could find out what Hailey stepped on and sure enough, he found a rake on the ground. It had been leaning on the fence but it must have fallen and of course, it was a metal rake and the spikes were facing up.

So anyway, the vet washed out the wound and wrapped it up. She didn't say anything about a tetanus shot but I asked her if it was something we should do. It was at that time that she thought about it and said yes, probably. However, they don't have it in stock. She went and checked and they would have to order it and it would take at least a week to get in. She was concerned about Hailey because it was a very deep wound and she wanted her to get the shot and said we should go to an e-vet to get one.

Well, I called 4 e-vets and my own vet yesterday and no one has the tetanus shot! I asked my vet if it was necessary and she said she didn't want to say over the phone because she didn't see Hailey's wound. I didn't talk to her directly, only the receptionist. Anyway, I called back the vet that treated her and she said "well, then I guess just keep an eye on her" So, I'm assuming the vet was just being overly cautious. It just seems strange that none of the e-vets I called keep the shot in stock. I did do a google search about tetanus in dogs and they can get it but I guess it is rare. I would think if it was an issue, they would have it in stock and I'm sure they would regularly give it out.

I'm going to the vet again on Thursday and I'm going to ask her about it some more. It just seems strange because she was so adament about Hailey getting the shot. I think it's because the wound was very bad. She mentioned on the phone that the phone again about how deep the wound was. I'll let you know if I get any more info. She of course asked about Hailey and asked if she was putting weight on her foot, which she was. She said that's a good sign.

Re: Tetnus shot

I really think since no evets have it, and my vet said animals are pretty much immune to it by nature, I think your dog will be ok.Just think of all the animals in the wild that step on things, etc. I truly believe it's probably more a human toxin than animal otherwise alot more animals would get it and they would def give it as a yearly vaccine, as our children get.

hope your dog feels better soon! You are a good doggie momma.

Re: Tetnus shot

Thank you so much. Now that you mention the animals in nature thing, I feel much better. I never thought of that!!! All I know is I told my mother and she said....well, if your DS stepped on the rake, would you even second guess getting him a tetanus shot??? I know some people feel that my skin kid and my fur kid are two different situations but to me, they aren't - so I got very worried but, she's doing fine.

Re: Tetnus shot

From what I know (and I'm certainly not a vet), tetanus can occur in dogs, but dogs are relatively resistant to it, so it is rare.

As an aside, this isn't true in all animals, though. Horses, for example, get tetanus booster shots at least once a year.

Message edited 7/14/2010 3:22:16 PM.