TYPE D ANTI-TOXIN
Available to Substitute for Backordered C&D Anti-Toxin

Because of the current shortage of C&D anti-toxin, Colorado Serum has begun producing Type D anti-toxin. Jeffers (1-800-533-3377) carries this product. If you cannot find C&D anti-toxin, then stock up on Type D anti-toxin.

These anti-toxins are antibodies made using the blood of horses. Type C anti-toxin has several challenges in production that Type D doesn't have. Several of the companies that previously produced C&D anti-toxin have discontinued production because of (a) the space it takes to house and feed horses, and (b) the difficulty of getting and keeping high titers in the donors. The United States Government requires that every "serial" (batch) of vaccine and anti-toxin produced must be tested before it can be sold.

Type D anti-toxin covers the classic "overeating disease" syndrome. Type D clostridium perfringens is probably the cause of 90% of the cases in goats over three weeks of age. Most of the cases of Enterotoxemia in kids under three weeks of age are attributable to Type C, which occurs when kids ingest fecal material contaminated with the bacteria, as opposed to Type D, which is an overgrowth of normal flora from eating too much high energy feed (including overeating on milk -- Floppy Kid Syndrome). If it is truly overeating on milk, the Type D anti-toxin is appropriate to use. If the kid is under three weeks of age and you suspect toxicity, personally I'd use the Type D anti-toxin if I didn't have Types C&D anti-toxin on hand. Dr. Berrier of Colorado Serum says that although the textbooks say that Type D clostridium perfringens rarely occurs under two weeks of age, "animals don't always read the textbooks!"

Suzanne W. Gasparotto, Onion Creek Ranch, Texas 8/13/15

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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