Tetanus in horses

The causative agent of tetanus is the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is present everywhere around us and affects the horse's nerve pathways, causing muscles to contract. Horses are very sensitive to tetanus, which is why it is included as a standard in vaccination.

What are the symptoms of tetanus

The tetanus bacterium prefers to grow in an environment with little oxygen. Especially deep wounds, which heal quickly from the outside, are therefore a risk in horses. In deep wounds, the bacteria can easily enter and multiply. These bacteria produce neurotoxins (poisons) which cause the symptoms. The incubation period for tetanus is 2-10 days.

Characteristic of tetanus in horses are:

• Stiffening of muscles, including the chewing muscles (lockjaw) which can spread throughout the entire body
• Third eyelid becomes visible
• Typical posture: tail up, ears upright, and anxious expression
• Eventually, cramping of breathing muscles leading to suffocation

How to prevent and treat tetanus

Unfortunately, there is no real treatment available for tetanus. When tetanus is diagnosed in a horse, intensive care is required. Horses with tetanus are administered an antitoxin against the toxins produced by the tetanus bacterium, and antibiotics are started to kill the bacteria itself. However, positive outcomes are only possible if treatment is started quickly and symptoms develop slowly. In cases of rapid, acute tetanus, recovery is highly unlikely.

The only protection against tetanus is vaccination. Vaccinating a horse with a wound may not be very effective as it takes a few days for antibodies to be produced. If the horse is not vaccinated but has a deep wound, it is better to administer antibodies against the toxins.