Difference between revisions of "Tetanus - Horse"
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− | == | + | {| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1" |
+ | | Also known as: | ||
+ | | '''Lockjaw | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
− | Tetanus is a highly-fatal infectious disease caused by the neurotoxin of the gram-positive bacterium '' | + | ==Description== |
+ | |||
+ | Tetanus is a highly-fatal infectious disease caused by the neurotoxin of the gram-positive bacterium ''Clostridium tetani'', resulting in spastic paralysis of affected animals. ''Clostridium tetani'' causes infection via wound contamination and deposition of bacterial spores in tissue under anaerobic conditions. Cuts, deep puncture wounds of the foot and surgical sites may all provide sites of entry for infective spores. ''C. tetani'' produces tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin that is transferred to distant sites via the vascular system. This causes inhibition of the release of GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in tetanic spasms. The incubation period varies from one to four weeks. | ||
==Signalment== | ==Signalment== | ||
− | All species of all ages may be affected but | + | All domestic species of all ages may be affected but foals may be particularly susceptible due to the possibility of infection through the umbilicus. Mare with a retained placenta post-foaling may also be affected. |
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
− | Diagnosis is often based on | + | Diagnosis is often based on history of a penetrating wound and clinical signs. Affected animals may have no history of vaccination against tetanus. Severe cases may be easily diagnosed but mild cases may need differentiating from exertional rhabdomyolysis, laminitis, hypocalcaemia and heat stroke. |
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===Clinical Signs=== | ===Clinical Signs=== | ||
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* Sudden onset stiff gait | * Sudden onset stiff gait | ||
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* Protrusion of the third eyelid, particularly after mild stimulation | * Protrusion of the third eyelid, particularly after mild stimulation | ||
* Trismus (lockjaw) | * Trismus (lockjaw) | ||
− | * | + | * Nostril flaring |
* Retracted lips | * Retracted lips | ||
* Elevated tail head | * Elevated tail head | ||
* Dysphagia | * Dysphagia | ||
* Tetanic spasms of the neck, trunk, masseter and limb muscles | * Tetanic spasms of the neck, trunk, masseter and limb muscles | ||
− | + | ||
− | Cases may vary from mild signs of a short, stilted gait, to complete recumbency with spastic paralysis. Progression of the disease may lead to involvement of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles leading to aspiration pneumonia. Recumbency may be followed by paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to death due to hypoxia or respiratory arrest | + | |
+ | Cases may vary from mild signs of a short, stilted gait, to complete recumbency with spastic paralysis. Progression of the disease may lead to involvement of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles leading to aspiration pneumonia. Recumbency may be followed by paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to death due to hypoxia or respiratory arrest. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
− | Treatment may be attempted but consideration must be given to severely affected cases (e.g. recumbency, severe muscle spasms) | + | Treatment may be attempted but consideration must be given to severely affected cases (e.g. recumbency, severe muscle spasms) which carry a grave prognosis. Horses should receive as little external stimuli as possible, ideally by keeping them in a darkened, quiet stable. Packing of the ears with cotton wool may help to minimise auditory stimulation. Administration of acetylpromazine may provide both sedation and a reduction in muscle spasm. Diazepam may be used alone or in combination with other sedatives to reduce severe muscular 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 and is especially important in horses with no history of tetanus vaccination, foals and horses with obvious wounds. |
− | Affected horses may require intensive supportive and nursing care. Intravenous fluid and electrolytes should be administered if the horse is unable to drink or dehydrated. Dysphagic horses may require feeding via a nasogastric tube, particularly in the case of foals. | + | Affected horses may require intensive supportive and nursing care. Intravenous fluid and electrolytes should be administered if the horse is unable to drink or dehydrated. Dysphagic horses may require feeding via a nasogastric tube, particularly in the case of foals. Adequate bedding consisting of peat or shavings must be provided, particularly in the case of recumbent horses when decubital ulcers must be avoided. In severe cases the use of slings may be employed to provide support and prevent self-trauma. Catheterisation of the bladder may be required as well as manual evacuation of faeces from the rectum. |
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
− | The prognosis is variable according to the severity of clinical signs. Horses that are able to | + | The prognosis is variable according to the severity of clinical signs. Horses that are able to drink may have a good prognosis providing nursing care is available. Recumbent horses carry a grave prognosis with a mortality rate of approximately 80%. Recovered horses may be normal but some may be left with persistent neurological deficits. |
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− | + | Preven | |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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* Pearce, O. (1994) '''Treatment of Equine Tetanus''' ''In Practice'' November 1994 pp 322-325. | * Pearce, O. (1994) '''Treatment of Equine Tetanus''' ''In Practice'' November 1994 pp 322-325. | ||
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Revision as of 11:17, 6 July 2010
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This article is still under construction. |
Also known as: | Lockjaw |
Description
Tetanus is a highly-fatal infectious disease caused by the neurotoxin of the gram-positive bacterium Clostridium tetani, resulting in spastic paralysis of affected animals. Clostridium tetani causes infection via wound contamination and deposition of bacterial spores in tissue under anaerobic conditions. Cuts, deep puncture wounds of the foot and surgical sites may all provide sites of entry for infective spores. C. tetani produces tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin that is transferred to distant sites via the vascular system. This causes inhibition of the release of GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in tetanic spasms. The incubation period varies from one to four weeks.
Signalment
All domestic species of all ages may be affected but foals may be particularly susceptible due to the possibility of infection through the umbilicus. Mare with a retained placenta post-foaling may also be affected.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is often based on history of a penetrating wound and clinical signs. Affected animals may have no history of vaccination against tetanus. Severe cases may be easily diagnosed but mild cases may need differentiating from exertional rhabdomyolysis, laminitis, hypocalcaemia and heat stroke.
Clinical Signs
- Sudden onset stiff gait
- Rigid posture ('sawhorse stance')
- Protrusion of the third eyelid, particularly after mild stimulation
- Trismus (lockjaw)
- Nostril flaring
- Retracted lips
- Elevated tail head
- Dysphagia
- Tetanic spasms of the neck, trunk, masseter and limb muscles
Cases may vary from mild signs of a short, stilted gait, to complete recumbency with spastic paralysis. Progression of the disease may lead to involvement of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles leading to aspiration pneumonia. Recumbency may be followed by paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to death due to hypoxia or respiratory arrest.
Treatment
Treatment may be attempted but consideration must be given to severely affected cases (e.g. recumbency, severe muscle spasms) which carry a grave prognosis. Horses should receive as little external stimuli as possible, ideally by keeping them in a darkened, quiet stable. Packing of the ears with cotton wool may help to minimise auditory stimulation. Administration of acetylpromazine may provide both sedation and a reduction in muscle spasm. Diazepam may be used alone or in combination with other sedatives to reduce severe muscular 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 and is especially important in horses with no history of tetanus vaccination, foals and horses with obvious wounds.
Affected horses may require intensive supportive and nursing care. Intravenous fluid and electrolytes should be administered if the horse is unable to drink or dehydrated. Dysphagic horses may require feeding via a nasogastric tube, particularly in the case of foals. Adequate bedding consisting of peat or shavings must be provided, particularly in the case of recumbent horses when decubital ulcers must be avoided. In severe cases the use of slings may be employed to provide support and prevent self-trauma. Catheterisation of the bladder may be required as well as manual evacuation of faeces from the rectum.
Prognosis
The prognosis is variable according to the severity of clinical signs. Horses that are able to drink may have a good prognosis providing nursing care is available. Recumbent horses carry a grave prognosis with a mortality rate of approximately 80%. Recovered horses may be normal but some may be left with persistent neurological deficits.
Preven
References
- Blood, D.C. and Studdert, V. P. (1999) Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (2nd Edition) Elsevier Science
- 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 University of Liverpool
- Pearce, O. (1994) Treatment of Equine Tetanus In Practice November 1994 pp 322-325.