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standing straight out, the ears stand erect/pricked,
facial muscles become stiff causing lockjaw and the
third eyelid goes into spasm and prolapses. As the
condition progresses the horse will go down, have
convulsions, go into respiratory failure and die a
painful death.
Treatment of tetanus is difficult and the majority
of horses will end up dying or being euthanized
due to the condition. If a tetanus diagnosis is
made in the early stages a veterinarian may begin
very intensive treatment involving administration
of tetanus antitoxin, sedatives, muscle relaxants
and antibiotics as well as thorough cleaning of the
wound and removal of necrotic tissue. If a horse
survives the first few days a complete recovery
can take weeks, even months and other secondary
infections or complications such as laminitis, colic,
pneumonia and other infections can occur.
Thankfully tetanus can be prevented with tetanus
vaccinations. It is absolutely essential that all horses
are kept up to date with their tetanus vaccinations.
Speak to your veterinarian to discuss the best
vaccination program for your horse.
Although tetanus can not be directly transmitted
from horse to horse or horse to human the bacterial
spores can survive for a long time in the soil. For
this reason it is important that horse owners are
also vaccinated for tetanus and have wounds seen
by a doctor for correct treatment and advice in
preventing a tetanus infection.
If you ever suspect your horse is suffering from
tetanus contact your veterinary immediately.
Horses are susceptible to tetanus, which is a
very serious and often fatal disease caused by
the bacteria Clostridium tetani which horses
are particularly sensitive to. Clostridium tetani,
is present as spores in the soil but is also found
in the faeces and intestinal tract of horses
and humans.
Horses commonly acquire wounds that allow
the Clostridium tetani bacterial spores to enter
their system through contaminated soil. The
wound that allows the spores to enter can be
so small that it may not be noticed. Common
wounds that put a horse at risk of tetanus include
puncture wounds (particularly of the hoof),
surgical wounds like castration incisions, open
lacerations, crushing injuries, bone fractures
and through the umbilical cord of foals.
Once the spores enter the wound if the aerobic
conditions are favourable with the absence of
oxygen and the presence of damaged/dead
tissue, the bacteria continues to multiply causing
a toxin to be produced. This toxin is a neurotoxin
which blocks neurotransmissions causing muscle
contractions and spasms known as tetany.
The signs of tetanus typically show 9-10 days
after infection but can begin anywhere from 7
days to several weeks after infection. The toxin
that is produced by the tetani spores causes
muscle contractions with the first signs being
a change in a horses movement or resting
position. An affected horse will continue to have
progressing muscle stiffness with signs including
a stiffened gait, the tail becoming stiff and
Tetanus
In Horses:
Painful & Deadly
