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Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine2022; 44; e005321; doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005321

Clinical findings and response to treatment of 17 cases of tetanus in horses (2012-2021).

Abstract: Tetanus is a distressing and often fatal disease caused by exotoxins released by the bacterium . is a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and domestic animals, and its spores are highly resistant to environmental changes, acid, and alkali and may persist in the soil for many years. The disease is characterized by generalized muscular rigidity and spasms, hyperesthesia, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death. Horses are the most susceptible domestic animals. Treatment is typically directed towards elimination of the source of the toxin, neutralization of any unbound toxin, establishment of antitoxin immunity, control of neuromuscular derangements, and relief of pain. This study described the clinical findings and therapeutic protocols of 17 horses with tetanus, treated between March 2012 and December 2021. The diagnosis of tetanus was based on the history and clinical examination findings of the animals. All horses received a treatment pattern composed of the administration of tetanus serum (50,000 UI, intravenously, followed by three injections of the same dose at 48-h intervals), procaine penicillin (25,000 UI kg, intramuscularly, BID, for 10 days), and muscle relaxant (acepromazine 0.02-0.05 mg/kg, intramuscularly, BID, for 8 days). Support therapy based on hydroelectrolytic replacements, feeding via a nasogastric tube, and assistance in the maintenance of the quadrupedal position were performed when needed. The mortality rate observed in this report was 23.52%. Early diagnosis associated with the instituted treatment contributed the most to the animal recovery. O tétano é uma doença angustiante e frequentemente fatal, causada por exotoxinas liberadas pela bactéria . é um microrganismo comensal do trato gastrointestinal do homem e de animais domésticos, e seus esporos são altamente resistentes às mudanças ambientais, ácidas e alcalinas, podendo persistir no solo por muitos anos. A doença é caracterizada por rigidez muscular generalizada e espasmos, hiperestesia, convulsões, parada respiratória e morte. O cavalo é a espécie de animal doméstico mais suscetível. O tratamento é tipicamente direcionado à eliminação da fonte da toxina, neutralização de qualquer toxina não ligada, estabelecimento de imunidade à antitoxina, controle de distúrbios neuromusculares e alívio da dor. Os achados clínicos e protocolos terapêuticos de 17 cavalos com tétano tratados durante o período de março de 2012 a dezembro de 2021 são descritos. O diagnóstico de tétano baseou-se na história e nos achados do exame clínico dos animais. Todos os cavalos receberam padrão de tratamento, composto pela administração de soro tetânico (50.000UI, por via intravenosa, seguido de três outras aplicações da mesma dose em intervalos de 48 horas), penicilina procaína (25.000UI kg, intramuscular, BID, por 10 dias) e relaxante muscular (acepromazina 0,02-0,05 mg kg, por via intramuscular, BID, por oito dias). Foram realizadas terapia de suporte baseada em reposições hidroeletrolíticas, alimentação por sonda nasogástrica e auxílio na manutenção da posição quadrúpede, quando necessário. A mortalidade observada neste estudo foi de 23,52%. O diagnóstico precoce associado ao tratamento instituído foram os fatores que mais contribuíram para a recuperação dos animais.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-23 PubMed ID: 35749097PubMed Central: PMC9183223DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005321Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study discusses the clinical findings and treatment regimens of 17 cases of tetanus in horses. It notes that the early diagnosis and instituted treatment play a significant role in the recovery of the animals.

Introduction

Tetanus is a deadly disease caused by exotoxins released by a particular type of bacterium. This bacterium usually resides in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and domestic animals. Its spores can survive in almost any type of environment, including acidic and alkaline conditions, and may remain in the soil for many years. Horses are the most at-risk domestic animals for this disease, which can cause muscle rigidity, convulsions, hyperesthesia, respiratory arrest, and even death.

Methods

  • The study focused on 17 horses diagnosed with tetanus based on their medical history and clinical examination findings.
  • All these animals were treated between March 2012 and December 2021.
  • The specific treatment administered included a combination of tetanus serum, procaine penicillin, and a muscle relaxant (acepromazine).
  • The tetanus serum was given intravenously, initially, and then followed by three injections at 48-hour intervals.
  • The procaine penicillin was administered intramuscularly, two times a day for ten days.
  • The muscle relaxant was also given intramuscularly, two times a day for eight days.

Supportive Care

  • When required, additional supportive care was provided to the horses. This included hydroelectrolytic replacements, feeding through a nasogastric tube, and help in maintaining a quadrupedal position.

Results

  • The mortality rate observed among the treated cases was 23.52%.
  • The study suggests that an early diagnosis of tetanus in horses, along with the given treatment regimen, was crucial for animal recovery.

Conclusion

  • This study underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment in managing horse tetanus cases. The findings should serve as a valuable input for veterinary professionals and may help in reducing fatalities associated with the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
de Melo UP, Ferreira C. (2022). Clinical findings and response to treatment of 17 cases of tetanus in horses (2012-2021). Braz J Vet Med, 44, e005321. https://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005321

Publication

Brazilian journal of veterinary medicine
ISSN: 2527-2179
NlmUniqueID: 9918435088106676
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 44
Pages: e005321
PII: e005321

Researcher Affiliations

de Melo, Ubiratan Pereira
  • Veterinarian, DSc. Centro Universitário Uninassau. Natal, RN. Brazil.
Ferreira, Cintia
  • Veterinarian, DSc. Centro Universitário Uninassau. Natal, RN. Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the preparation of this manuscript.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Kinoshita Y, Yamanaka T, Kodaira K, Niwa H, Uchida-Fujii E, Ueno T. Assessment of tetanus revaccination regimens in horses not vaccinated in the previous year. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Jul 17;85(7):751-754.
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  2. Araújo IRDS, de Brito EL, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, Cavalheiro MT, Ferreira C, de Morais LF, de Souza RF. Knowledge levels regarding antibiotics and their use among horse owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2025;47:e000425.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm000425pubmed: 40453163google scholar: lookup
  3. Medeiros PR, Figueiredo LS, de Melo UP, Mariz ALB, de Brito EL, Araújo IRDS, Silva ALDC, Costa MHDS, Ferreira C, Assis DB, da Silva CRM, de Souza AL, de Souza MPDS. Survey on sanitary practices and knowledge about infectious diseases among equine owners in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Braz J Vet Med 2023;45:e003323.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003323pubmed: 38090190google scholar: lookup
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