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Home » Donkeys » What is Tetanus and why must we be diligent?

What is Tetanus and why must we be diligent?

Posted by on Nov 7, 2008 in Donkeys, Horses, Welfare | 2 comments

Tetanus is a killer, but it can be prevented with routine vaccination.

vaccine1

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw) is caused by an anaerobic bacteria found in the soil and faeces. The environment in which horses live means that they are particularly susceptible to contracting this horrible disease. Infection usually occurs through wounds, in particular small puncture wounds that sometimes are difficult to see. 

Clinical signs of tetanus include spasms, stiffness, anxiety, perspiration, extended neck and head, prolapse of the third eyelid, retracted lips, and an elevated tail. Spasm of the facial muscles often give the horse a frightened expression with flared nostrils, ears back and eyes wide. Unless caught immediately, the outcome is usually death. Horses that have incubated tetanus to the extent of having difficulty breathing, or can no longer stand have a very poor prognosis.

What can you do to prevent tetanus?
Vaccination is vital!
A primary injection is given and then 4 to 8 weeks a booster injection is administered. After that it is just a yearly vaccination and can be given together with the flu vaccine if you wish. If you have lapsed in your vaccinations and you notice a wound ask your vet to administer a TET as a precaution.

Can’t I just give a tetanus anti-serum when my horse gets injured?
No, there is no substitute for routine vaccination. If however your horse is not properly vaccinated when the known tetanus risk is high (when there are wounds, foot abscesses, emergency procedures, gelding etc.) ensure he gets a TAT injection, then start a proper vaccination regime immediately.

Are foals and young horses more at risk?
Yes, recent studies have now revealed that young horses are more susceptible to the dangers of tetanus than older horses and are at a greater risk of death due to the disease.
Studies carried out by Belgian researchers at the University of Liege have proved that the tetanus anti-serum (TAT) usually administered to foals with their first days of life, is not 100% effective in preventing tetanus. The University compared case studies of 30 horses and donkeys admitted to the university’s clinic between 1991 and 2006.
They found the following;
84% of the animals were 5 or less than 5 years old
77% of these died or were euthanised within eight days of diagnosis, compared to 20% of those older than 5.
32% was the total survival rate of all equines in the study.
The average age of survivors was 6.7 years old, that of the non-survivors was less than half that age, at 3.2 years. None of the equines had been properly vaccinated, according to the study, although some of them had received TAT preventively (before castration, for example).

For newborn foals a TAT should be given after birth followed by a primary vaccination at 4-6 months of age, a booster 30-60 days later, and then yearly boosters throughout it’s life.
Pregnant mares should be vaccinated three to five weeks before foaling, not only because retained placentas account for a source of tetanus but also because it ensures the passage of antibodies through the colostrum to the newborn foal.

ERF have a policy of always starting a Tetanus and Flu course to each new equine they take in if there is not proof of it’s vaccination history.
Don’t delay, vaccinate your equine today!




2 Comments

  1. Gill McGovern
    November 15, 2008

    I totally agree that tetanus is a totally preventable, often fatal disease and vaccination is simple, cheap and effective. But, I was disappointed to see that you recommend annual vaccinations on your site. I feel I should point out that Vets recommend every two years whereas the vaccine manufacturers recommend every five years (see http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/csl/tetanus.htm). Organising bodies for competition have also set their own rules regardless of the manufacturer’s recommendations. There is some confusion here obviously but personally I choose to vaccinate every four years to stay within the safety zone set by the manufacturer. There is growing concern that over-vaccination can cause debilitating allergic reactions and damage immune response, hence my concern. I hope you’re not offended by this message but just wanted to set the record straight!

    reply
  2. jennyerf
    December 14, 2008

    Thank you for your comment. We are concerned that there are far too many misinformed people who take their information from websites, without having any practical experience, and are thereby prone to believing whatever website they happen to chance upon first. For example, the only website that recommends the 4 years is the one you have pinpointed. The other drug manufacturers recommend between 1 and 2 years, depending on the vaccine they produce. THe BHS one suggests between 2 and 5 years, which is too vague.
    Our advice, and it is solely that, is as we have published.
    I have sadly seen a tetanus case and the horse died. I would consider myself negligent to not fully immunise my horse against the disease, as I do those others that do not protect adequately. Every four years is not adequate unless the brand of vaccine used states that.
    As far as competition regulations go, they pertain solely to the various versions of flu and herpes vaccinations required for competition. There is no requirement whatsover for a horse to have tetanus protection to compete. For practicality, however, the tetanus is often combined with the flu vaccination, normally every second year, as most riders take their horses welfare seriously. Even with a vaccination, horses are often boostered when meeting with a major injury to prevent any possible chance of tetanus taking a hold. What is very frightening is how simple it is for a horse to contract the disease. One problem with some horses is poor feet, and their proneness to abscesses, leading them to susceptibility to one of the accepted and very swift ways that the tetanus can enter the blood stream.
    Far from setting the record straight, I’m afraid your comment is purely an opinion that you hold, to which you are obviously entitled, and with which I’m afraid we wholeheartedly disagree. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify the need for regular vaccination.
    Please note the six following websites back up our research.

    http://www.animart.com/pages.php?pageid=11

    http://www.petalia.com.au/Templates/StoryTemplate_Process.cfm?Story_No=1249

    http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2072/VTMD-9119web.pdf

    http://ag.udel.edu/extension/agnr/pdf/Equine%20Vaccination%20Guidelines.pdf

    http://www.eaglefernequine.com/library/EquineVaccinations03.08.pdf

    http://www.wyethah.ca/equine.asp?pageid=e2pchart

    reply

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