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** Penicillin
−*** Penicillin is becoming a less favoured treatment for tetanus, since there is a theoretical risk of increased spasms.
−
+
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
−Treatment may be attempted but consideration should be given before embarking on treatment of severely affected cases, as these carry a grave prognosis (e.g. recumbency, severe muscle spasms). Horses should receive as little external stimuli as possible, ideally by keeping them in a darkened, quiet stable. Administration of acetylpromazine may provide both sedation and a reduction in muscle spasm. The use of an intravenous catheter is recommended to further reduce external stimulation. Any obvious wounds should be thoroughly debrided and flushed using 1% hydrogen peroxide, and parenteral penicillin should be administered. Tetanus antitoxin may be adminstered intravenously at the onset of clinical signs.
+Treatment may be attempted but before embarking on treatment of severely affected cases, as these carry a grave prognosis (e.g. recumbency, severe muscle spasms). Horses should receive as little external stimuli as possible, ideally by keeping them in a darkened, quiet stable. Administration of acetylpromazine may provide both sedation and a reduction in muscle spasm. The use of an intravenous catheter is recommended to further reduce external stimulation. Any obvious wounds should be thoroughly debrided and flushed using 1% hydrogen peroxide, and parenteral penicillin should be administered. Tetanus antitoxin may be adminstered intravenously at the onset of clinical signs.
** Surgical removal of dead and infected tissue from the wound.
** Surgical removal of dead and infected tissue from the wound.
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*** Treatment with metronidazole decreases the number of bacteria but has no effect on the bacterial toxin.
*** Treatment with metronidazole decreases the number of bacteria but has no effect on the bacterial toxin.
*** Metronidazole is particularly active against anaerobic bacteria, and so is a good choice for use against [[Clostridium tetani|''C. tetani'']]
*** Metronidazole is particularly active against anaerobic bacteria, and so is a good choice for use against [[Clostridium tetani|''C. tetani'']]
−* Muscle relaxants
* Muscle relaxants
** Diazepam
** Diazepam
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* Mair, T., Love, S., Schumacher, J. and Watson, E. (1998) '''Equine Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction''' ''WB Saunders Company Ltd''
* Mair, T., Love, S., Schumacher, J. and Watson, E. (1998) '''Equine Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction''' ''WB Saunders Company Ltd''
* Knottenbelt, D.C. '''A Handbook of Equine Medicine for Final Year Students''' ''Liverpool University''
+* Knottenbelt, D.C. '''A Handbook of Equine Medicine for Final Year Students''' ''University of Liverpool''
+* Pearce, O. (1994) '''Treatment of Equine Tetanus''' ''In Practice'' November 1994 pp 322-325.
+[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_SophieIgnarski]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_SophieIgnarski]]