TOXOID OR ANTI-TOXIN?

Knowing the Difference Can Mean Life or Death

Toxoids and Anti-toxins are medications for identical goat health problems, but their usage is dramatically different. Which vaccine should be used depends upon what the producer is trying to accomplish.

The two most common vaccines that come in both toxoid and anti-toxin forms are the overeating vaccines and the tetanus vaccines. Confusing the matter is the fact that there is a vaccine for Overeating Disease which is also combined with Tetanus prevention.

Toxoid vaccines are used for long term protection. For example, the vaccine for Overeating Disease combined with Tetanus prevention is called "CD/T." These letters represent protection against Overeating Disease caused by the most common and dangerous organisms . . . Clostridium Perfringens Types C & D. The "T" part of the vaccine provides long-term protection against Tetanus.

Toxoid vaccines are given once, with a booster injection following 30 days later. CD/T vaccine is given to unvaccinated adults and kids twice in the first year, one month apart. Booster vaccinations are then given annually, although some goat veterinarians and producers are boosting this protection twice a year and oftentimes one week before does begin to kid, in order to "jumpstart" the immune systems of the soon-to-be-born kids.

Anti-toxin vaccines are used in medical emergencies, when immediate but short-term protection is required. The two most commonly used goat anti-toxin vaccines are C&D Anti-Toxin and Tetanus Anti-toxin. C&D Anti-toxin should be used whenever Overeating Disease is suspected to be the cause of the goat's illness. As with the toxoid vaccines, the anti-toxins are recommended to be used SQ (sub-cutaneously . . . i.e. "under the skin). C&D Anti-toxin vaccine is very safe to use and has a very high margin of error. It is one of the few medications which can be used without fear of hurting the animal, even if the problem turns out not to be Overeating Disease. "Bloat" is another goat health problem against which C&D Anti-toxin may be used, in conjunction with other medications.

Tetanus Anti-toxin is used after castrations are done ("wethering a goat"), for injuries (bites, cuts, puncture wounds), and when Tetanus-like symptoms are present (goat's neck is dramatically bent to the side and unable to be straightened, eyes unfocused, difficulty standing).

The temporary protection afforded by both of these vaccines lasts from 7 to 14 days. If the goat survives the illness, the producer must wait at least five days and begin the two-vaccination toxoid series again, because the Anti-toxin has cancelled the benefits of the Toxoid vaccine. Some folks will argue that this occurs, but it better to be safe than sorry, particularly since these vaccines are very inexpensive.

Note: CD/T, the toxoid, will sometimes cause a "knot" at the injection site. This is evidence that the vaccine is successfully interacting with the goat's immune system. To avoid these "knots," injections can be done inside the loose skin where the front leg meets the goat's body (in the "armpit," so the speak). Usually, but not always, these "knots" eventually disappear.

Here's a "word association" (courtesy of Jerry Munns of Honea Path, South Carolina) to help remember the difference between Toxoid and Anti-toxin:

TOXOID . . . . TO AVOID

ANTI-TOXIN . . . IN NEED OF FIXIN'

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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