Equivac TAT 1500 IU/mL Tetanus Antitoxin Composition Prepared by immunising horses against the toxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Refined to be free of other serum proteins and concentrated. Actions The injection of a relatively small dose of antitoxin, such as the minimal doses recommended for prevention, if given within a few hours of the injury, should provide effective protection over the usual danger period. The period of protection will be prolonged with increased dosage of antitoxin. Indications Prevention and treatment of tetanus in animals. See product literature for further details. It is recommended that animals be actively immunised for permanent protection whenever and wherever there is a risk of tetanus. This may be achieved by using Equivac T (tetanus toxoid) or, if routinely inoculating sheep or cattle against other clostridial diseases, by using a multicomponent vaccine with a tetanus component. Shake before use. Dosage and Administration Prevention of tetanus. Give subcutaneously. Horses, foals, adult cattle. Not less than 1,500 units. Calves, adult sheep, goats, adult pigs. Not less than 500 units. Dogs. Not less than 250 units. Lambs, piglets. Not less than 100 units. Lambs and piglets receiving 100 Units at marking will be protected during the ensuing danger period. Combined active-passive immunisation. Simultaneous injection of Equivac TAT and Equivac T results in both immediate and lasting protection. Equivac TAT is injected on one side of the body and Equivac T on the other. A separate syringe and needle should be used for each product. If the dose of Equivac TAT is as recommended above, there will be no interference with the development of active immunity. Treatment of tetanus. Antitoxin is less effective in the treatment of tetanus than it is in prevention. It must be emphasised that treatment is more likely to be successful if the antitoxin is administered early in the course of the disease. The suggested minimum therapeutic dose for all species of domestic animals is 10,000 to 20,000 units. The antitoxin should be given slowly by the intravenous route.
