Tetanus

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.

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).

  • 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

Because the tetanus bacterium is so common in the environment, all horses are at risk.