At the same time a vaccination program should be commenced to develop long-lasting immunity. A separate syringe and needle should be used for each product. This will result in both immediate and long lasting protection. Tetanus antitoxin alone provides protection in 2-3 hours but it only lasts for 3 weeks and tetanus may develop after this protection has waned. These injections should be given on different sides of the neck.
Vaccination is the only way to provide long term protection against tetanus.
It should be remembered that the horse is the most susceptible animal to tetanus. Tetanus antitoxin provides immediate protection but this protection only lasts for 3 weeks. Horses given tetanus antitoxin can develop tetanus once the levels of antitoxin have dropped below the protective level. It is extremely risky if owners are relying on the use of tetanus antitoxin given to horses, after a wound, to protect them against tetanus, as some cases of tetanus occur from wounds which are so small they are not noticed. Like a number of other vaccines, Equivac-T or Equivac 2 in 1 can cause a local swelling at the site of the injection.