Q: When my cat was injured outdoors, his veterinarian boosted his rabies vaccination, in case a rabid animal had inflicted the wound, but did not administer a tetanus shot. When I cut myself in the yard, my doctor gave me a tetanus shot. Should I request the same for my cat?
A: That’s not necessary, because cats rarely get tetanus.
Tetanus develops when bacteria called Clostridium tetani, which survive for years in soil and dust, invade an open wound.
These bacteria then produce a nerve toxin called tetanospasmin that travels through the nerves to the spinal cord and brain. Within five to 10 days, the toxin causes muscle stiffness, rigidity, spasms and tremors. If death occurs, it is usually due to respiratory failure….