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♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
Do you know anyone with a horse that has had tetanus? Probably not. Despite the fact that the organism responsible for the disease is often present in soil and horse manure, it is not a common disease. That is largely due to the widespread use of vaccination.
But that doesn’t mean you can be complacent. Tetanus is an ever present threat to the health of your horse. In many cases the disease is fatal.
Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It produces spores, which are very resistant and can survive treatment with many disinfectants. In its active form, the organism thrives in conditions with little oxygen. So damaged tissue buried underneath the skin is an ideal habitat.
In horses, most cases of tetanus result from the organism getting into wounds. Contrary to what many think, it is not big gaping wounds that present the greatest risk. It is often the small puncture wounds that are the most dangerous. It takes between one and three weeks for signs of disease to develop after the animal has become infected. So the original wound has usually healed by the time the horse becomes unwell. Often the owner has not even noticed that their horse has had a injury.
Puncture wounds to the foot are a particular risk. They are often contaminated with soil - which is a good source of Clostridium tetani.
The nervous signs characteristic of the disease are caused by a neurotoxin that is released by the organism as it multiplies in the tissues. The toxin may be absorbed into the bloodstream and produce generalized signs. Less commonly it may be affect the nerves close to the wound and produce a localized spasm before spreading more generally.
The toxin causes progressive muscle rigidity. Affected horses often have a frightened expression because of spasm of the facial muscles. Their nostrils flare, their ears are held back and they have a wide-eyed appearance. They have difficulty chewing and opening their mouth. Often their tail is held up slightly. Affected horses walk stiffly (
But that doesn’t mean you can be complacent. Tetanus is an ever present threat to the health of your horse. In many cases the disease is fatal.
Tetanus is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. It produces spores, which are very resistant and can survive treatment with many disinfectants. In its active form, the organism thrives in conditions with little oxygen. So damaged tissue buried underneath the skin is an ideal habitat.
In horses, most cases of tetanus result from the organism getting into wounds. Contrary to what many think, it is not big gaping wounds that present the greatest risk. It is often the small puncture wounds that are the most dangerous. It takes between one and three weeks for signs of disease to develop after the animal has become infected. So the original wound has usually healed by the time the horse becomes unwell. Often the owner has not even noticed that their horse has had a injury.
Puncture wounds to the foot are a particular risk. They are often contaminated with soil - which is a good source of Clostridium tetani.
The nervous signs characteristic of the disease are caused by a neurotoxin that is released by the organism as it multiplies in the tissues. The toxin may be absorbed into the bloodstream and produce generalized signs. Less commonly it may be affect the nerves close to the wound and produce a localized spasm before spreading more generally.
The toxin causes progressive muscle rigidity. Affected horses often have a frightened expression because of spasm of the facial muscles. Their nostrils flare, their ears are held back and they have a wide-eyed appearance. They have difficulty chewing and opening their mouth. Often their tail is held up slightly. Affected horses walk stiffly (