Tetanus after accident with barbed wire

kellybee

kellybee

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Had a bit of a disaster on the bridlepath today. Shetland was left in the field while i went hacking with my sis in law. 20 mins later shetland came charging down the bridlepath and both horses shot round a corner. Stirrup came off, i am cut up pretty bad where i landed in a barbed wire fence. SIL came off further down the path but she's okay. Alfie's scraped his legs but only surface damage. I've hosed him off and purple sprayed him. No heat or swelling thank God.

My question is, can wait til the morning for a tetanus? I asked the gp's receptionist but she didnt know. I really dont fancy a trip to the walk in centre.
 
I gather you're asking for you - not the horse?? Have you had a tetanus course - or a booster in the past 10 years? If the answer is no, then go in in the morning! If the answer is yes, they'll probably tell you you don't need one! I had a very nasty injury to a finger last year which involved a horse's hoof ripping the finger open to the bone - went into the Minor Injuries Unit to get it cleaned up and steri-stripped. Told the Sister I was due for a booster as I hadn't had one for at LEAST 10 years and she said: "Oh, I'm not worried about tetanus." I was gobsmacked - and replied: "You've obviously never nurses a patient with tetanus! I have - and I don't fancy getting it - so I want a booster please!"
 
I managed to get three jabs in as many weeks as a kid before a nurse questioned when last jab was. As JG I was told that I could do without for a number of years. My booster is probably due though so thanks for the reminder!
 
Thanks, yes it's for me. He's had all his jabs and seems fine, he's just skinned his legs. I havent had a jab since I was a kid but the family are saying to go get it done now when I'd rather wait til morning - am pretty sore right now.
 
As long as it's not 30 years since you were a kid, they probably WILL give you a booster - but tomorrow is plenty soon enough! Just make sure the wounds are well cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Barbed wire IS a high risk for tetanus - particularly if the cuts are deep, so DO go and get the booster tomorrow.
 
Last time I had one i was 10 i think - 22yrs ago. I just talked to a relative who said I'm covered by childhood vaccines.

Thanks for all your help :)
 
kellybee said:
Last time I had one i was 10 i think - 22yrs ago. I just talked to a relative who said I'm covered by childhood vaccines.

Thanks for all your help :)
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I am not certain what current thinking is,but AFAIK you would not be covered if your last one was as a child and was 22 years ago.

You should have boosters every 10 years,but I *think* after you have had 5 they say you no longer need them,but as you are nowhere near the age where that could be the case i would go along to your GP practice nurse or walk in centre and ask for one.If you really don't need one then I assume they will tell you this,but best to check I should think.

Might be as well to have someone just check your cuts/injuries as well.

Hope you are not too sore and on the mend soon:)
 
Thank you :) she said under 40's roughly have one as a baby then boosters at 4 and 10. Im okay thanks, came off light really but i look like i had a fight with a barbed wire fence lol.
 
I was told that you should have 5 in your lifetime every ( 1 every 10 years) but when I was bitten by my cat last year I phoned then up and they said that as I'd had 4 already I may as well have another one as then I wouldn't need it again.
 
Ring them and ask.

That said...when I got kicked last year and needed my face sorting out, I was meant to have a tetanus shot. But...being terrified of needles, blabbered I'd had one at 15 and was 21 so would that be fine...got away with not having one and am fine, though once I got home and stopped having a panic attack over needles, stitches and hospitals, did start to worry that I'd made a silly decision.
 
Oh... Ugh well iv booked an appointment with my surgery for lunchtime so hopefully will be sorted tomorrow. Thanks again
 
ChristmasSparkles said:
Ring them and ask.

That said...when I got kicked last year and needed my face sorting out, I was meant to have a tetanus shot. But...being terrified of needles, blabbered I'd had one at 15 and was 21 so would that be fine...got away with not having one and am fine, though once I got home and stopped having a panic attack over needles, stitches and hospitals, did start to worry that I'd made a silly decision.
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Wow, thats got to hurt! At least you're okay :) (I hope!)
 
Oh poor you I know how you feel - my pony got spooked by a train out hacking while i was bareback (stupid stupid me!!) and we ended up full pelt into a barbed wire fence. Came off incredibly lucky indeed but I looke dlike id had a date with Edward Scissorhands! My leg was a mess and I still have a huge scar - I phone the nurse the next day and she looked at my history and said I'd be fine as I'd had one within 10 years.

I would just phone them tomorrow morning and ask, should be fine until then :)
 
My doctor will not give me another booster, even though it is 14 years since my last one, as I have had at least 5 tetanus jabs in my life. I asked particularly as we had had a cow die from tetanus the day before.
 
rabatsa said:
My doctor will not give me another booster, even though it is 14 years since my last one, as I have had at least 5 tetanus jabs in my life. I asked particularly as we had had a cow die from tetanus the day before.
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Has this doctor ever seen tetanus?

I get a booster every 7-8 years as I'm considered high risk - kennels & horses so I've had five so far as an adult. An extra booster when you've been exposed would not do any harm.
 
Will go get my jab in the morning, just didn't fancy sitting in the hospital/A&E whilst my poor buttocks are in shreds.

I spoke to someone who works on the farm and he said basically, even though its minimum width, there's nothing to be done about the barbed wire as its a stock fence. There have never been cows in those fields in the 25yrs I've known the place, but apparently, its fine as is. In places there's a single strand at fetlock height and nothing else - how's that a stock fence? Grr.
 
I had a tetanus booster a few months ago as I hadn't had one in at least 15+ years. A previous GP refused to give me one when I asked, this time the nurse told me it was vital in my situation and gave me one no hassle. I personally treat approximately 5 animals with tetanus every year so definitely require vaccination.
 
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