Tetanus Antitoxin

Tetanus Antitoxin In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Antibody binds to tetanus toxin.

Uses of Tetanus antitoxin

• Used as a preventive measure in animals at risk of developing tetanus from wounds.
• Most effective when employed in developing cases of tetanus, especially when clinical signs are observed or when the wound is severely contaminated, allowing the progression to a severe form of tetanus.
• Less effective in established tetanus cases as it does not displace bound toxin.
• Routine prophylaxis is not recommended for dogs and cats due to the very low risk of tetanus.

Dose of Tetanus antitoxin in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• Prophylactic: 80 IU/kg (maximum of 2500 IU/dog) i.m., s.c. once.
• Therapy of developing tetanus: 100–1000 IU/kg (maximum 20,000 IU/animal) i.m., s.c. once (off-licence i.v. administration following a s.c./intradermal test dose is reported).

Cats:

• Not required.

Side Effects of Tetanus antitoxin in Dogs and Cats

• All antisera carry the risk of causing anaphylactoid reactions, especially in patients with a history of exposure to products containing horse protein.
• Repeated doses increase the likelihood of hypersensitivity reactions.
• Management of these adverse effects may involve the use of adrenaline or antihistamines.

Contraindications of Tetanus antitoxin in Dogs and Cats

• Avoid in cats (cannot metabolize phenol preservative).