TETANUSWritten by: Allison O’Connor

WHAT IS TETANUS? A neurological condition in dogs caused by

an infection with the bacteria called: Clostridium tetani lives in the soil and

likes to get into an open wound that has dead tissue.

Clostridium tetani bacteria then produces the tetanus toxin, which is what makes the animal sick.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=587&tbm=isch&sa=1&btnG=Search&q=Tetanus+bacteria#tbm=isch&q=Clostridium+tetani+&imgrc=WpTDd2mj0fMgsM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=587&tbm=isch&sa=1&btnG=Search&q=Tetanus+bacteria#tbm=isch&q=open+wound+on+dogs+paw&imgrc=qRZX_BZ-mSpwvM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=587&tbm=isch&sa=1&btnG=Search&q=Tetanus+bacteria#tbm=isch&q=soil+&imgrc=QWR-w6sZX1_K4M%3A

WHAT ARE CLINICAL SIGNS OF TETANUS?

Rigid/stiff muscles, especially facial muscles and ears (ears become pinned back and it looks like they are smiling)

Sunken in eyes Drooling Difficulty breathing and eating Difficulty walking

*These signs usually appear a few days to a few months after the Clostridium tetani spores

enter an open wound.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=587&tbm=isch&sa=1&btnG=Search&q=Tetanus+bacteria#tbm=isch&q=dog+with+tetanus&imgrc=2JN2Z80KkU7zsM%3A

CASE STUDY: Jetta

Age: 1 year

Breed: Chesapeak Bay Retriever

Sex: Female

Other: Outdoor farm/hearding dog

PATIENT HISTORY/OWNER INFO

Below is what the owner reported to us in regards to Jetta’s history and abnormalities they noticed: Facial swelling (which was actually the

sunken-in eyes typically seen in Tetanus patients, so it made the face appear swollen)

Lack of appetite and trouble chewing food (likely due to decreased ability to use jaw appropriately because of facial stiffness).

History of split toenail (mostly healed now after it was clipped back) from 6 days ago

Sensitive to noises/light, and trouble walking

ABNORMAL EXAM FINDINGSBelow are some abnormalities noted by the

veterinarian upon initial examination: Sunken appearance of eyes Stiff jaw, facial muscle rigidity (face was

tense, looked like she was smiling) Coat/Skin: Muddy haircoat (lives outside on

a farm) Extensor muscle rigidity (legs were stiff and

not bending properly) Urinated in examination room (very sensitive

to light and sounds and easily spooked).

TESTING/RESULTSWe ran bloodwork (a serum chemistry to

see how the internal organs were working, and a complete blood count to see if there was an active infection), and a urine toxin screen to see if she had eaten one of the commonly ingested toxic substances. 1.Serum chemistry and CBC: No significant

findings2.Urine toxin screen: No significant findings

https://www.google.com/search?q=blood+chemistry&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=fvmVVfuoDsn2sAXs9I_gDg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=587#tbm=isch&q=blood+work&imgrc=SWyYXBxpwcUNnM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=urinalysis&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=HBmWVZmbAYnosAXW2L6IDg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=587#imgrc=2jc66dbdZyZQJM%3A

DIAGNOSIS: Puzzle Solved! Diagnosis: TETANUS. With the combo of patient history,

exam findings and tests ran, the puzzle pieces finally fit together.

1. Jetta’s history of being an outdoor cattle dog (stands in soil)2. Having had a broken toenail 6 days ago that the bacteria could get into (open wound)3. Cattle in the area have had tetanus (so it would likely still be in the soil since it’s very resistant to the environmental elements and disinfectants)4. Rigid muscles, sunken-in eyes and sensitive to light and sound (all important clinical signs)5. Normal blood and urine results (these tests rule-out other toxins and infection since most clinics don’t have a test in-house to test for tetanus)

TREATMENT1.IV fluids::To make sure Jetta stays

hydrated 2.Metronidazole antibiotic: This will help

kill the Clostridium tetani bacteria that produce the toxins that effect Jetta’s nerves

3.Administer Tetanus Antitoxin: Helps neutralize the toxins that the bacteria produce.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tetanus+antitoxin&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=tR6WVay8BcKSsAXwsYHoAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=587#tbm=isch&q=dog+tetanus+antitoxin&imgrc=QpSRhwQ29bwjmM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=metronidazole&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dh-WVbDaF4S9ggSt5oL4AQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=587#imgrc=F2N5mNG7FYmryM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=iv+fluids&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0xqWVY__MsikoQTY26D4Dw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=587#imgrc=Tvrp8o8Vi0qiVM%3A

IMPORTANCE OF TREATMENT Immediate treatment is necessary when

clinical signs appear. If untreated, Tetanus is fatal because the

breathing and throat muscles will spasm, causing the animals to eventually lose the ability to breathe and swallow.

Recovery from Tetanus usually takes about 1-4 weeks after treatment is started.

END RESULT Jetta’s owners were proactive and brought her in right away when they noticed she didn’t feel well, so she is expected to make a full recovery!

*If you think your dog or cat may have Tetanus, take it to a veterinarian’s office right away because this is a fatal condition without

aggressive treatment.*

https://www.google.com/search?q=happy+chesapeake+bay+retriever&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=aAGWVbutJoP1tQXMy5rABg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=587#tbm=isch&q=chesapeake+bay+retriever&imgrc=XI9p3Zx_-cVR6M%3A