Tetanus
Disease Overview
Tetanus is an often-fatal disease caused by the toxin produced by the anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium tetani. C. tetani organisms are abundant in soil, making infection an ever-present risk.
Merck Animal Health Solutions
PRESTIGE flu-containing equine vaccines contain the most updated flu strains available.
For vaccination of healthy horses 6 months of age or older, as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis viruses and tetanus, as an aid in the control of respiratory disease caused by EIV, Equine Herpesvirus types 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV· 4), and as an aid in reduction of virus shedding of EIV and EHV-1. Duration of immunity(D01) has been shown to be at least six months for EIV.
For vaccination of healthy horses 6 months of age or older, as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by Eastern, Western and Venezuelan encephalomyelitis viruses and tetanus and as an aid in the control of respiratory disease and as an aid in the reduction of virus shedding caused by Equine Influenza Virus (EIV). Duration of immunity (DOI) has been shown to be at least six months for EIV.
An effective vaccine for Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, tetanus and West Nile virus in horses.
For vaccination of healthy horses 6 months of age or older, as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by Eastern, Western and Venezuelan encephalomyelitis viruses and tetanus.
Transmission
Infection usually occurs via a puncture wound (especially in the foot or muscle), laceration, surgical incision, or exposed tissue such as a foal’s umbilicus or postpartum mare’s reproductive tract (especially in the case of trauma or retained placenta).
Clinical Signs
- Localized stiffness proceeding to general stiffness
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty chewing (hence the common name “lockjaw”)
- Erect ears; stiff, extended tail; dilated nostrils; prolapsed third eyelid
- Difficulty walking, turning and backing
- Extension of head and neck
- Stiff leg muscles causing “sawhorse” stance
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Mucous membrane congestion
- Temperature slightly above normal
Risk Factors
Because the tetanus bacterium is so common in the environment, all horses are at risk.
References
“Tetanus,” American Association of Equine Practitioners, accessed July 15, 2021,
aaep.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines/core-vaccination-guidelines/tetanus.
Henry R. Stämpfli, “Tetanus in Animals,” Merck Veterinary Manual, July 2021,
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/clostridial-diseases/tetanus-in-animals