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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
A history of trauma and unrelenting muscular spasm in a localised area is often described in cases of tetanus. An obvious wound may help to increase suspicion of tetanus, particularly if the wound is necrotic or infected. An important clinical feature of tetanus in dogs is that of resolution of muscular spasm over a long period of time (weeks or months). In this species, diagnosis is often based on clinical judgement rather than laboratory tests, as these may add little diagnostic information. In occasional cases, ''C. tetani'' may be cultured from a wound, but this may be impossible if healing has occurred or the wound is not apparent.
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
The localised form of tetanus seen in dogs may cause differing clinical signs to those seen in other species. The owner may described a change in gait as the only abnormality. Unlike the generalised spastic paralysis described in horses, dogs may present with a wound to a single limb (often a thoracic limb) and unyielding stiffness or rigidity in the surrounding area. The rigidity may spread to the contralateral limb and then begin to advance cranially, and the disease usually becomes generalised at this stage. Dogs may often display hypersensitivity to even minimal amounts of stimulation. Affected cases have been reported to display caudal displacement of the ears, lateral canthi and commissures of the eyes. Prolapse of the nictating membranes, trismus (excess jaw tone) and retracted lips (risus sardonicus) are other reported clinical features.
The localised form of tetanus seen in dogs may cause differing clinical signs to those seen in other species. A change in gait may be the only reported abnormality. Unlike the generalised spastic paralysis described in horses, dogs may present with a wound to a single limb (often a thoracic limb) and unyielding stiffness or rigidity in the surrounding area. The rigidity may spread to the contralateral limb and then begin to advance cranially, and the disease usually becomes generalised at this stage. Dogs may often display hypersensitivity to even minimal amounts of stimulation. Affected cases have been reported to display caudal displacement of the ears, lateral canthi and commissures of the eyes. Prolapse of the nictating membranes, trismus (excess jaw tone) and retracted lips (risus sardonicus) are other reported clinical features.