This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
Dealing with Tetanus and Skin Wounds in Cattle ¶
As a veterinarian, I receive numerous calls and messages from farmers and animal owners seeking advice on various animal-related issues, including human-animal disease interactions, livestock farming, and trading.
One such case that comes to mind is that of a young bull from Kericho who was diagnosed with tetanus. The animal's owner, Limo, had sought my opinion on the diagnosis and prognosis provided by his animal health service provider.
According to Limo, the bull had been castrated three weeks earlier and had been showing signs of stiffness and muscle twitching for three days. The animal's health service provider had diagnosed tetanus and treated it with antibiotics and tetanus vaccine, but there was no improvement.
After reviewing the case, I agreed with the service provider's diagnosis and prognosis. Tetanus is a disease caused by the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is found abundantly in the soil and the gut of different animals, including humans.
The tetanus bacteria multiply in infected tissues and produce toxins that block nerve function, causing sustained stimulation and continuous contraction of skeletal muscles. This leads to stiffness of the appendages, including the legs, tail, and ears, and eventually, the neck and jaws lock tightly, causing lockjaw.
Prognosis of tetanus is good if proper treatment is done in the early stages of twitches and tremors, but once stiffness sets in, it is poor. In Limo's case, the bull had already attained the stiffness stage by the time treatment started, making the prognosis poor.
It is essential to note that members of the equine family, including donkeys and horses, are highly sensitive to tetanus and should be routinely vaccinated against the disease. Ruminants, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, are less easily infected, but animals on farms with highly contaminated environments should be vaccinated regularly.
Visible wounds should be cleaned thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide and iodine to remove dead tissue and improve aeration. Antibiotics should be given to kill the bacteria and stop further production of toxins. The animal should also be sedated to help it relax and kept in a cool, quiet place with deep, soft bedding.
Animals that show no signs of recovery within five to seven days should be destroyed as they are unlikely to recover. The tetanus toxoid, the vaccine, protects the animal for about three years after full vaccination.
