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Also known as: '''''Lockjaw

| Also known as:

| '''Lockjaw

==Description==

==Introduction==

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. The bacteria causes infection via contamination of wounds and deposition of bacterial spores in tissue. Deep puncture wounds, cuts and surgical sites may all provide sites of entry for infective spores due to the requirement for anaerobic conditions to allow bacterial germination. ''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 spasm of striated muscle. The incubation period varies from one to four weeks depending on the suitability of the wound environment for bacterial multiplication.

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. The bacteria causes infection via contamination of wounds and deposition of bacterial spores in tissue. Deep puncture wounds, cuts and surgical sites may all provide sites of entry for infective spores due to the requirement for anaerobic conditions to allow bacterial germination. ''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 spasm of striated muscle. The incubation period varies from one to four weeks depending on the suitability of the wound environment for bacterial multiplication.

* 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 due to diaphragmatic spasm.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Effective prevention is obtained via vaccination with the tetanust toxoid vaccine. Brood mares may be vaccinated one to three months prior to foaling in order to maximise passive immunity to the foal.  Recovery from the disease does not provide protection from further infection, therefore the horse must still be vaccinated.  

Effective prevention is obtained via vaccination with the tetanust toxoid vaccine. Brood mares may be vaccinated one to three months prior to foaling in order to maximise passive immunity to the foal.  Recovery from the disease does not provide protection from further infection, therefore the horse must still be vaccinated.  

==References==

==References==

[[Category:To_Do_-_SophieIgnarski]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

 

[[Category:Horse]]

 

[[Category:Expert Review - Horse]]

[[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Horse]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal Diseases - Horse]]

[[Category:Tremors and Movement Disorders]]