21/08/2023
TETANUS!
Tetanus is a bacterial disease that attacks a horse’s nervous system causing muscle spasms. Horses suffering from tetanus will show stiffness, with a rigid tail, erect ears and tight facial expression. Another common sign is being able to see the third eyelid across the eye. As the disease progresses a horse will have problems eating and swallowing and can go into respiratory failure. Between 60-70% of horses affected by tetanus will die, despite intensive veterinary treatment which can last many weeks.
Tetanus bacteria (Clostridium tetani) live in the soil and are found world-wide. Signs most often occur within 10 days of infection, but can take up to 3 weeks to develop.
Luckily, the tetanus vaccine is very effective against the disease. While there are still rare cases of vaccinated horses getting tetanus, these horses have better outcomes and shorter treatment times.
Vaccination advice:
The initial vaccine course is two injections once month apart and then boosters every year
All pregnant brood mares should full vaccinated against tetanus and receive a booster one month prior to foaling
If a foal is born to an unvaccinated mare it should receive the first tetanus vaccine from 3 months old
A foal born to a vaccinated mare can have it’s first tetanus vaccine from 6 months old
As we are approaching the time of year where people might be thinking about gelding their colts, it is important to have the initial course of tetanus vaccinations done BEFORE gelding. The risk of tetanus infection from an open surgical wound is very real. While vets can give an injection of tetanus anti-toxin to help reduce the risk of tetanus in an unvaccinated horse, it is not a magic cure and doesn’t offer the secure protection of a properly vaccinated horse.
