− | Tetanus is a rare disease in dogs, and the disease pathophysiology is similar to that described in other mammalian species. The causal agent of tetanus in the dog is the neurotoxin of the gram-positive bacterium ''[[Clostridium tetani]]''. Infection occurs due to initial contamination of a wound by ''C. tetani''. Replication of the bacteria occurs due to the anerobic conditions provided by the damamged wound tissues. Tetanospasmin (neurotoxin) produced by the bacteria is transported to distant sites via the circulation and intraaxonally along peripheral nerves. This causes inhibition of the release of GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in persistent rigidity of striated muscle and the typical clinical signs of tetanus. | + | Tetanus is a rare disease in dogs, and the disease pathophysiology is similar to that described in other mammalian species. The causal agent of tetanus in the dog is the neurotoxin of the gram-positive bacterium ''[[Clostridium tetani]]''. Infection occurs due to initial contamination of a wound by ''C. tetani''. Replication of the bacteria occurs due to the anerobic conditions provided by damamged wound tissues. Tetanospasmin (neurotoxin) produced by the bacteria is transported to distant sites via the circulation and intraaxonally along peripheral nerves. This causes inhibition of the release of GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in persistent rigidity of striated muscle and the typical clinical signs of tetanus. |