Immunization Controversy Archives

tetnus

I recently rescued a kitten that was about 5 weeks old that was hiding under a dumpster...when i caught the kitten she bit me cutting through the skin in about 4 places. I have not had a tetnus shot for a long time and wonder if i need to get one? the wound healed just fine...but what are the sytmptom of tetnus?

Follow Ups:

• Re: tetanus (Archive in immunizations.) Walt Stoll 09:49:46 10/25/01 (0)
• Re: tetanus Walt Stoll 09:49:16 10/25/01 (0)
• Re: how long between tetanus boosters steven 18:37:18 10/24/01 (0)

In Reply to: tetnus posted by Lilly Gannon on October 24, 2001 at 15:47:13:

Lily,

You should get a booster about every ten years. If it has been that much or more you need to get one now. Do not wait for symptoms...it will be too late for you when that happens!

~s

In Reply to: tetnus posted by Lilly Gannon on October 24, 2001 at 15:47:13:

Hi, Lilly.

Listen to Steven.

By the time you have symptoms of tetanus, it is too late. They used to call it "lock jaw" because far advanced symptoms locked the jaw. Muscle tetany is the most common symptom---thus the name tetanus.

The kind of puncture wounds that a kitten's teeth would make are ideal for transfer of tetanus spores.

You need a physician's advice.

Hope this helps.

Walt

In Reply to: tetnus posted by Lilly Gannon on October 24, 2001 at 15:47:13:

Hi, Lilly.

Listen to Steven.

By the time you have symptoms of tetanus, it is too late. They used to call it "lock jaw" because far advanced symptoms locked the jaw. Muscle tetany is the most common symptom---thus the name tetanus.

The kind of puncture wounds that a kitten's teeth would make are ideal for transfer of tetanus spores.

You need a physician's advice.

Hope this helps.

Walt