Castration/tetanus..

SpottyTB

SpottyTB

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Hello, Looking at buying a colt - think i've made my mind up now and i'm researching stuff now..

I'd want to get him gelded at 6 months (if it was possible), what i'm wandering is... has anyone ever had a horse gelded without the tetanus jab and just had the cover jab instead?

I'm just trying to think it all out through, and want experiences from those who'd had the covering jab because they didn't have the full course..

If my plan goes to plan, he'll stay where he is (at stud, on a cow farm) and will be gelded and then live on his mum for a further 2 weeks - just to keep him strong after it and before weaning!

Would love to bring him home and have it done but having got a yearling gelding, MIL is worried they may fight.. not sure i agree with this, as i think a 6month colt is going to latch onto the gelding - seeing as he's just lost his mum! Opinions?

Thanks
 
All horses should be vaccinated against tetanus. The tetanus anti toxin will cover him for about 3 weeks only. I would urge you to have the 1st tetanus toxoid vacc at the same time, then the 2nd vacc in 4-6 weeks.
 
elderlycoupleindevon said:
All horses should be vaccinated against tetanus. The tetanus anti toxin will cover him for about 3 weeks only. I would urge you to have the 1st tetanus toxoid vacc at the same time, then the 2nd vacc in 4-6 weeks.
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Oh yes i know that, i'm just trying to work it out.. the 3 vets a called yesterday said "i expect he's not tetanus vaccs yet? so you'll need the cover?".. hence the question :D

So could i get away with having him jabbed first time when he's gelded?


It could be, that when the passport people come, i'll have him jabbed them aim to get him gelded 6 weeks later.. how long does it take for them to heal after being gelded?

Thanks for the reply!
 
He should have already had his first tetanus jab, I would not consider buying him unless he is covered fully, the idea of gelding before weaning is good provided he has dropped by then otherwise you may have to wait.
A yearling gelding should be ideal company for the foal, gelded or not, there is no reason to think they will fight, they are more likely to become best friends.
 
be positive said:
He should have already had his first tetanus jab, I would not consider buying him unless he is covered fully, the idea of gelding before weaning is good provided he has dropped by then otherwise you may have to wait.
A yearling gelding should be ideal company for the foal, gelded or not, there is no reason to think they will fight, they are more likely to become best friends.
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He's not even had his passport done yet (he's only 3 months old) will be getting him cut or aiming to.. in oct so when he is just 6 months.. but if i can persuade MIL/FIL to bring him home and then have him done in late oct.. that might be better? Think they were told that geldings sometimes won't accept colt's.. but i think that's a rare rule for probably older gelding's? rather than yearlings?
 
Ideally he should have his first tetanus about a month before you have him gelded. He can then have the second at the time of surgery. However, in reality we castrate a lot of colts without previous tetanus vaccination, although we make it clear this is not ideal. In these situations I give both antiserum and the vaccine at the time of gelding. We haven't ever had a problem after doing this, but if I was gelding my own colt I would ensure he'd had his first vaccine in advance if surgery, Because there is no question that this offers the best protection.
 
I get mine jabbed for tetanus at just over 4 months so if a vet is out at around that time to do the passport its worth having the first one done then. Totally agree with having him castrated but some don't drop both testicles until they are 18 months so you may need to factor in having him done next spring or autumn. On the plus side most youngsters get on well so if he cannot be done at 6 months I doubt there would be a problem with him living with your gelding until he is ready.
 
I had my 18 month colt gelded before he'd been fully vaccinated. He had antiserum and the first of the three vaccinations on the day he was done. Final jab is due in September and he's sorted.:D

No problems at all.
 
my yearling had his first tetanus on the day he was gelded. (so it can be done although not ideal) he is now up to date :)

i will point out that i bought him at 4 months old and did not breed him.
 
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