Responsive treatment of a horse with tetanus: Case report

Abstract

Tetanus is a non-contagious infectious disease, caused by exotoxins produced by Clostridium tetani, a microorganism of worldwide distribution, gram-positive, found in the vegetative or sporulated form. The objective of the present work is to present the case report of a male, adult, horse, with 450 kg of body weight, without a history of vaccination and affected by tetanus. The animal was seen at the University Hospital of Veterinary Medicine of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, and presented to the clinical examination mandibular trismus, rigid walking, contracted musculature and prolapse of the third eyelid. From the clinical diagnosis, treatment with anti-tetanus serum, penicillin, acepromazine 1%, fluid therapy and supplementation with energy solutions and vitamins was instituted. Debridement of the hoof injury and enema were also performed to remove feces from the rectal ampoule. On the eleventh day of hospitalization, the animal showed significant clinical improvement, and after 29 days of hospitalization, the animal was discharged. Early diagnosis associated with the management of the infection site and intensive treatment were factors that contributed to the recovery of this animal.