Our horse habit is filthy????

[saddleup]

I bailed off my horse on a trail ride yesterday when he decided to crash through some trees and rocks (don't ask!) and hit my head, well actually my neck up high, on a rock. Tons of blood, nothing but a stiff neck the next day. At the ER they stitched me up and gave me a tetanus shot.

The thing was, I didn't hurt for long where I have stitches, but my arm is completely killing me! From the tetanus shot.

I know we're supposed to get one every ten years, but holy cow. Who'd have thought that the cure would hurt more than the injury?

The doctor told me that horse people definitely need to be vigilant about their tetanus shots because we're exposed to so much "filth". Yikes.

[Beverley]

Well, yeah, the nasty little tetanus critters 'are' associated more often with 'horsey' conditions, it seems. And rusty nails, whether or not they are near horses. My vet gives the horses a tetanus after a laceration too, even if a booster was given within the year.

As for me, haven't had a tetanus shot since 1962. Much debate among medical staff (in two countries, so far) every time I 'need' one following some injury. Typically, the debate is, 'oh, you were allergic to the old horse serum based shot, the new one is synthetic, shouldn't bother you. To which I typically reply 'okay, fine, then, we're in a hospital after all, if I have a reaction you can deal with it.' The inevitable 15 minute pause after 'I'll be right back' ensues, and upon return of medical staff, well, they've decided, after all, they'll just give me a shot of gamma gobulin.

So far, so good. But I 'am' careful not to go barefoot around the barn.

[Chief2]

Besides all of the usual exposures to tetanus around the barn, horses naturally shed live tetanus in their manure. Don't be tempted to chuck a stray apple of it into the barrow with your bare hands. it can gain entrance through a small hole or a cut in your skin. Use the fork or the shovel. As for the nails, I've had them puncture through the sole of my boot by just walking through the parking lot. Don't ask me how that happened out there. I'll never know.

[Jaegermonster]

"Who would have thought that the cure would hurt so much more than the injury?"

first, I'm glad you weren't badly hurt and will be ok.

Now, let me tell you something, that soreness in your arm is nothing compared to a full blown case of tetanus.
I arrested a woman about a year ago for a case of animal cruelty in which a dogs leg had rotted off it's body down to the bare bones by the time I found it. the dog was hopping around on three legs and the fourth was bone with a rotted foot on it, but she was still alive, but the leg had to be amputated.
Well, the dog developed tetanus. I never really understood what the big deal was about tetanus, now I know. That is something I hope that I never see again as long as I live.
That dog could not move, drink, swallow, blink it's eyes, nothing, for about 3 weeks. We had to give it eyedrops, drizzle chickbroth down her throat, and manipulate her joints by hand. They call it lockjaw for a reason. It was only due to the excellent care and valiant efforts of the vet at Animal Control that the dog survived, after all the experts told her it couldn't be done. Once the poor animal started to recover, we still had to hand feed her, she had bedsores, seizures, it was just horrible. I had never seen anything like it and I hope to god to never see it again.
So if I cut myself shaving, now I go get a tetanus shot.

**and if you were wondering, after the court trial was over the dog was awarded to me by the court and she is living large three legs and all at my farm with no residual effects from the tetanus :)

[J Swan]

I don't usually post here - but this thread caught my attention.

I'm religious about that shot - because I live on a farm. I'm always getting cuts and banged up from machinery and whatnot.

What your doctor said struck me as funny, because being exposed to "filth" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Our cultures paranoia about germs has led to a heck of a lot of problems with antibiotic resistant bacteria. I once picked up a an old bleached deer skull when I was out hunting with a foot pack - a member ran up to me squealing and poured hand sanitizer all over my hands before I could stop her.

I'm glad you weren't hurt too badly.

Jaegermonster - I'm shocked that dog recovered from lockjaw! That disease is almost as fatal as rabies. Amazing story.

[M.K.Smith]

I recently got a tetanus shot... it had been 10 years since my last one and I think I'm much better safe than sorry. My arm hurt for about 5 days, so I feel your pain!

I thought I had heard somewhere that horse people should actually get a tetnus shot more often.. I was thinking 7 years, but my doctor said every 10 years, so that's what I did.

Jaegermonster, I'm so happy to hear that the dog survived (that is amazing) and is now living with you! It is one very lucky dog to have survived and gotten a home where it is loved and cared for.

[rcloisonne]

What your doctor said struck me as funny, because being exposed to "filth" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Our cultures paranoia about germs has led to a heck of a lot of problems with antibiotic resistant bacteria.
So true! And not only resistant bacteria but a whole society with poor ability to fight the most common germs. I recall when I was hospitalized with septic pedal osteitis (oops, I mean a bone infection in my foot :lol:) a number of nurses commented, "It's always the clean people who seem to get the worst infections. We have horribly filthy people, the kind you have to scrape the dirt off, who come in here with appalling injuries but who never seem to get infected."

The nurses seemed perplexed but have never forgotten that. In fact, I've found my own health greatly improved once I started getting really dirty on a regular basis from being around horses! :winkgrin:

[Bluey]

A friend's stallion survived tetanus and was fine, but the care during it was 24/7 and at times they wondered if it was worth it, for the horse, to go thru that.
I have received a tetanus shot every ten years all my life and have never had a sore arm from it.
A cousin had a small case of tetanus as a seven year old kid, from stepping on a nail, but was fine afterward.

That is a shot that I think saves so many more horse and human lives that it is not worth not keeping up with it.
We give tetanus shots to cattle only under certain conditions, they don't generally get it, but I have seen one case and it was not pretty.
He didn't make it.

Dogs, according to our vet, are not as apt to get it, but he lost a client because the hunting dog died of tetanus and he blamed the vet for it.
:(

[Jaegermonster]

I do that too, I never thought tetanus was a big deal until we went through this with that poor dog. Now I get one every few years too. And the city vaccinated me for rabies too since I do the animal investigative work for our department.
If anybody wants to see the photos of that poor dog, pm me and I'll tell you what site to go to and how to search it, it was all over the news.
People often ask "why didn't you just put her down". It was suggested and discussed many times, but she continued to improve and it was so obvious that in spite of her previous owners best attempts to let her die a horrible death she had not given up yet, so we hung in there with her as long as she wanted us to. Peg has become sort of the mascot for Animal Control here, she was "the worst case of neglect we have ever seen", and became a happy ending. The vet actually did a case study on it that has been provided to several vet schools, since to have a dog get it full blown and survive such a nasty case is so rare.
But tetanus is nasty stuff.
**ETA links. I hope these work, you can actually see how her eyes are bugging out and the skin on her face looks tight. That was about 2 days after I found her, and the tetanus was already starting

http://www.news4jax.com./news/10097973/detail.html

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=61259

there is another earlier story on news4jax but I couldn't find it

[matryoshka]

I ask the doctor to give the tetanus shot on the back my hip, above the gluteous maximus. That way the soreness doesn't interfere with work. My mom taught me that back when we had to get tetanus shots before basketball season started in high school.

[Huntertwo]

Ouch, sound like you took a good spill, but glad everything is okay..

I'm a chicken turd when it comes to shots and haven't had a Tetanus shot since I was a kid decades ago...

[J Swan]

Jaegermonster - those photos are sickening. How on earth a person could allow any living thing to suffer like that is incomprehensible.

[Calamber]

That is truly amazing. I once found a calf in a farmer's field that had tetanus and they did not even try to save it. I have never seen an actual case recover. What a lovely dog too, she looks like a purebred Labrador. So glad that everyone pitched in to save her. Great story!

[Jaegermonster]

I know. Maybe I should have put a disclaimer in my post that it was pretty graphic. And I actually just happened upon that, no one had called it in. I can't imagine having something like that hopping around in my yard and not doing anything for it. Peggy is probably one of about 3 cases that i am most proud of in 17 years in law enforcement.
It took all I could do not to rip that woman's head off when she tried to feed me that line of bull about what happened to the dog.

The recovery was horrid, 24 hour care, IV's,meds, constant care. I even went around to the vets in town and asked for donations of supplies for her and everyone was very generous when I told her story. Props to PetSmart, they donated cases of AD Science Diet food for her, and also a new dog bed because she had peed on hers while she was unable to move. Everybody was great.

She is a wonderful dog. No problem learning manners, no prob housebreaking. She smiles, which is a riot, and all she wants is to be petted. I tell friends who spend the night if they hear what sounds like a body being dragged up the stairs in the middle of the night, it's just Peg. The way she hops up the stairs makes a "shhhhhhh thump" noise that sounds really gross :) But she's bound and determined to come up, then of course i have to help her on the bed.
PS sorry to hijack

[Huntertwo]

What happened to the owner? Did she serve any jail time or pay a fine?

How anyone could do that or ignore it is beyond my comprehension... Monster! :mad:

[bird4416]

That woman should have been locked up for life. How could anyone let that happen to an animal? She looks like such a happy dog. Thank goodness you found her and gave her a home.

[Auventera Two]

For the love of pete. Jaeger - you have the dog now?! You are an angel from heaven. Those photos made me sick to my stomach, and I've seen a lot. So she developed tetanus, and is now free of the disease? Bless you for all you did for this dog!

[purplnurpl]

My allergy shots hurt more than a tetanus shot.

Guess it is individual.

I had to fight for my last tetanus shot. I told them REALLY, I HAVE TO HAVE ONE.
I often cut my fingers on nasty, crap covered horse shoe nails when I am trying to put on slip on bell boots!
Not to mention the barbed wire, mucking in flip flops, and running around barefoot.

Yup, filthy

[riverbell93]

I love that video of her running, she looks like such a happy dog.

[Jaegermonster]

What happened to the owner? Did she serve any jail time or pay a fine?

How anyone could do that or ignore it is beyond my comprehension... Monster! :mad:

Our State Attorney's office here is really great about working with me on these animal cases I have gotten really good dispositions from them, by staying on top of the cases and also by making sure they have all the documentation etc that they need.
This woman got 5 days in jail (in addition to the four days she served when I arrested her til she could make bail), one year probation and can never own animals again, $1500 fine, and I also asked for and got an award of restitution to the City of Jacksonville for the dogs vet bills (over $4000). We may never see it, but she does own the property her mobile home is on so hopefully we will get it one day. The woman was already a convicted felon on several counts, incl battery on a police officer, and other felonies and several misdemeanors.
I wanted some real jail time for her, and the SA was helping, but the judge didn't do it because the woman had a retarded child she gave a big cry story about. Apparently the son has Down's Syndrome and she worked it for all it was worth (he's not totally disabled, goes to school by himself, takes the bus etc, very high functioning, but she used it).
I actually had peg in court that day for the trial, at the judge's request, because he wanted to see her.
peggy had been a gift, as a small puppy, to the boy a few years ago from his teachers for making the B honor roll at school. There were several other almost feral dogs there, and we took them that day as well. Peg was tied (which caused her injury) because the dogs were getting out and getting into the neighborhood trash. I guess they didn't get that if you FEED your dog they don't do that.
I'm glad you enjoyed the happy Peg videos, she is very happy now. She runs all over the place, usually first in the pack with dirt clouds flying up behind her. She definitely is not missing that other leg. Peg is one of the sweetest dogs I hav ever known, which is amazing considering the treatment she received in her early life.

[Huntertwo]

5 Days? :no: Now that is the real crime. But knowing she cannot own animals again, makes it worth it. I just hope it is enforced.

Kudos to you and the job you do. Watching "Animal Cops" makes my blood boil and it would take everything in my power not to beat the living #hit out of those people.

[Jaegermonster]

I asked for a year in jail and hoped for 6 months, but the judge wouldn't go for it. But she got spanked pretty hard on the $$. They are very very low income, and live off of the kid's disability and whatever the mom can make working piecemeal under the table. And of course off whatever her other kids can make selling crack, but I digress.

And ditto on Animal Cops. Sometimes after leaving Animal Control on some of my cases, I would sit in my car and just cry. It just sucks, all these animals suffering and being put to sleep. It doesn't need to happen, only is because of people's ignorance and selfishness. Just like with horses, too many breeders not enough homes.

Human suffering really doesn't affect me much, most people (IME) have made their own beds, so to speak. But animals only suffer due to the ignorance of man. If only people would spay or neuter.....their pets (and sometimes themselves).

Kind of like the story of the little girl and the starfish, I can't save them all, but I can make difference for them one at a time.

[Huntertwo]

Human suffering really doesn't affect me much, most people (IME) have made their own beds, so to speak. But animals only suffer due to the ignorance of man. If only people would spay or neuter.....their pets (and sometimes themselves).

Kind of like the story of the little girl and the starfish, I can't save them all, but I can make difference for them one at a time.

My gosh, you sound just like me! My hubby gets mad that I care more about animals than I do people. I feel that the majority of people make or have made their own beds, with the exception of children or the mentally ill and the elderly.

Animals have no one to turn to if they are in pain or frightened. I volunteer for a Feral Cat organization feeding twice a week. One cat must have either dislocated or broken his hind leg about a month ago.

I try and try to catch him, but he knows he is hurt and is further distancing himself from me. It kills me to see him that way....:cry:
The feeding and housing *station* is behind a busy diner and to put out a Hava-Hart trap would be impossible to watch 24/7. Too much brush to net him.

I'll try again tomorrow...sighhh

[Jaegermonster]

I think I have been a cop too long, I've gotten very cynical about humans (except little kids). But animals have no subterfuge and no pretense, what you see is what you get, and they depend on us. Look how we treat them, and still they forgive. All they want to do is please us.

[Candle]

those pictures were sickening :mad: She looks absolutely amazing now though. Jaegermonster, you're awesome for taking care of her like that.

[Janet]

Two separate issues, and the doctor had a poor choice of words.

Being around "filth" isn't bad, either for the general immune system or for tetanus.

But being aound HORSES IS an increased risk factor for TETANUS.

[Candle]

Two separate issues, and the doctor had a poor choice of words.

Being around "filth" isn't bad, either for the general immune system or for tetanus.

But being aound HORSES IS an increased risk factor for TETANUS.

Yeah, but every doctor I've seen for a riding related injury has made the crinkled up gross face, taken two steps back, and asked about my tetanus shot status as soon as I mentioned the word "horse" or "field" :lol:

[Auventera Two]

You should have seen the ER doc's face when I came in bleeding profusely from my left arm and requesting stitches because of a rabbit. Yes - a rabbit. I was showing a Rex buck for a friend at a championship show and just as I was about to put him on the table, he sunk his teeth into my left forearm so deep it severed nerves, layers of muscle tissue, knicked a tendon, and just barely missed the vein. I have permanent nerve damage and big ole' nasty scar.

About 5 nurses came in because they just HAD to see how a RABBIT had caused such damage. It was nasty enough to be a dog bite.

Never underestimate the power of pissed off little furry things.

[AdAblurr02]

<snip>

Never underestimate the power of pissed off little furry things.


rotflmao!!!

Good one! IMHO, docs in small agricultural communities have stronger stomachs and nerves of steel, and do a better job with AGRICULTURAL related injuries.
The old doctor who sewed my finger back on (crush injury, severed at the last joint by a cattle squeeze chute that "let go") barely turned a hair. Matter of fact, I really wish he'd been a little bit more touchy-feely, as he barely let the local take effect before he started stitching! YOWEEE! I went right under the table - left my hand up there in his arthritic clutches and just hid out til it was over.
He was hilarious - over 80 years old, and somewhat palsied. He'd shake and quiver terribly, then line up and STAB that suture in and then go back to shaking. It's a lot funnier in hindsight than it was at the time.....

[42 Spots]

Saddleup, I'm glad you're ok. Jaegermonster, you are a hero!

[dressagetraks]

Amazing about the dog, and I'm so glad she's living the life she deserves now.

When I was in the ER back several months ago with severe rope burns, the ER doc came around the corner of the nurse's station (I was in the hall, not in a room; busy night and they bumped me up the line) holding the intake sheet and frowning. "Lead rope?" he read, pronouncing it like that evil stuff found in old paint. "What is a lead rope?" When I corrected to a LEAD rope to rhyme with feed, he said, "Oh, a horse injury. We see a lot of those in here." He then immediately asked me about my tetanus shot status.

BTW, if at all possible, don't ever get one at the ER; keep it up to date at your regular doc's office. It costs about 10 times more in the ER. Same shot.

[Equibrit]

Your immune system stays healthy by being constantly challenged. The more muck the better! It used to be the norm when I was young to put kids in the sickroom with their siblings who had contracted a childhood disease like measles, and getting good and filthy was not discouraged. When I had to see my doctor after the horse stood on my foot again, she howled with laughter and said "drop 'em" - she's a horse person too.

[bird4416]

Equibrit, When I was a kid my Mom (who was a nurse) used to send me over to play with the sick neighborhood kids. She tried so hard to get me sick with mumps but I never got them. I do think the exposure helped me have a stronger immune system though.

[Jaegermonster]

Wow some of these injuries you guys have had just make me sit here and go "ouch".
I know about the rabbit though, they will bite the crap out of you. One bit me once on the pad of my right index finger. Boy did that hurt!
And thanks about the dog, she is very lucky and i think also very grateful. She's an awesome dog.

[wkw]

You can ask to have the tetanus shot given in your hip. It is a lot less painful in the hip than in the arm.

[Huntertwo]

You can ask to have the tetanus shot given in your hip. It is a lot less painful in the hip than in the arm.

wkw,
Thanks for that information. I am so many years behind on Tetanus only because I'm scared to death of shots.

The hip does sound a lot less painful.

I also work with Feral Cats and would really like to get the Rabies vaccinations. I've been bit and scratched by one cat I was trying to catch for the second time. Would have been worried, but previously I captured him to be neutered, he also got a Rabies Vacc.