Tetanus is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is found in soil and the intestinal tract of horses, other mammals and birds.

When the spores enter an open wound, can proliferate in an environment anaerobic and release the tetanus toxin (tetanoespasmina). The toxins produce muscle spasms that can be life-threatening.

Infection

Tetanus is a disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani . Esta bacteria se puede encontrar en todo el mundo en el suelo y el estiércol. Cuando entra en una herida, crece y produce una neurotoxina llamada tetanoespasmina que provoca espasmos musculares.

This neurotoxin travels to the brain and spinal cord to cause tetanus in animals. This bacterial infection can be prevented with vaccines, and a good breeding of the animals.

The spores of this bacterium are generally deposited in the feces of an infected animal or in the soil and the soil particles. Can then be sucked into the mouth, or a wound that was not cleaned up properly.

Once these spores enter the body of an infected animal, they can reproduce rapidly and cause tetanus. The spores are extremely resistant to degradation and can survive for months or even years.

The spores can enter an open wound, such as a deep puncture wound, and thrive in low-oxygen environments. They can also infect procedures of castration, placenta retained, stumps umbilical, do not scar or wound in the skin.

When these spores enter the body of a dog, they can cause tetanus. This bacterial infection can be avoided by vaccinating your dog and keeping your wounds clean and dry.

If your dog develops tetanus, the first symptoms will be pain and stiffness in the muscles closest to the wound. This will progress to a stiff widespread of the muscles in the entire body.

These symptoms are observed mainly in dogs, but horses and other animals can also be affected by this infection. Symptoms may include loss of the ability to blink, eye pain and loss of vision in one or both eyes.

It is important to treat tetanus as soon as possible because the toxins spread to other areas of the body and cause severe spasms that can lead to death. The treatment will include antibiotics and tetanus antitoxin, which can be administered intravenously or orally.

Debido a que esta infección bacteriana es tan común, es importante conocer los signos del tétanos en su perro y cuándo buscar atención médica para ellos. Si nota alguno de estos síntomas, comuníquese con su veterinario de inmediato.

Symptoms

Tetanus is a severe and potentially fatal infection that can be deadly to animals. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani and affects the central nervous system, causing muscle spasms.

The spores of this bacterium found in the soil and can enter your pet's body through a cut or a puncture wound. The spores multiply and then release a toxin (tetanoespasmina) that travels through the nerves to the spinal cord and the brain.

The spores also you can pour in the feces of other animals. That is why it is important to make sure that your pet's vaccinations up to date.

The symptoms can occur within 5 to 10 days post-injury, but it is more likely to develop if there is a low level of oxygen within the wound, or if there are many agencies present. This can happen faster when your dog has a puncture wound, since the bacteria can enter the bloodstream faster, and produce the toxin faster.

The clinical signs of tetanus usually start with stiffness and lameness. Progress to an abnormal gait, tremors, and muscle spasms that can affect the entire body. The mouth may crash and cause aspiration of saliva and material power.

Other signs include sweating, rapid heart rate and elevated temperature episodic. This is due to the toxin of the tetanus alters the balance of sodium and potassium in the body.

If not treated, the disease can be fatal, but it is possible for your dog to recover. However, this depends on how severe it is and when to start treatment.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with tetanus, there are several treatment options available to help reduce symptoms and speed recovery. This includes antibiotics, sedatives, and good nursing care.

The first stage of the tetanus usually resolves after about 3 weeks, but the recovery period may be longer in more severe cases. If you are concerned that your dog may have tetanus, it is best to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

As soon as they have begun the symptoms of tetanus, your veterinarian will begin treatment to avoid major damage in the nervous system of your pet. This may involve giving them a combination of different medications and give them fluids to keep them hydrated. Also be kept in a dark area and quiet to reduce the stimulation, which can make symptoms worse.

Diagnosis

Tetanus is a potentially deadly disease in animals. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which can enter the body through open wounds or as a result of surgical procedures such as cutting and castration.

The symptoms of tetanus are usually noticed between four days and three weeks after infection develops. The signs of the disease include a gait stiff, “lockjaw” (a lockjaw severe that it may make the third eyelid is protruding from the eye), spasms, and tendency to fall.

A veterinarian can diagnose tetanus by examining the animal. The veterinarian will look for signs of an injury or a view of the infection and ask questions about the wound, and the history of the animal. If the vet has any doubts about the diagnosis, you may need to order tests.

The laboratory tests needed to diagnose tetanus include a chemical profile, complete blood count and urine analysis. The levels of chemical often show an increase in creatine phosphokinase, and count, you will find an increase in the number of white blood cells.

If tetanus is diagnosed early enough, the vet will give you antibiotics to the horse and will inject a tetanus antitoxin. These treatments are designed to destroy bacteria that have already been produced tetanoespasmina and reduce the severity of tetanus.

In tetanus, the toxins interfere with the release of neurotransmitters. This results in muscle contractions and spasms that affect the central nervous system, the spinal cord and the brain. Alterations in autonomic resulting may include bradycardia, hypotension and hypertension.

Some of the animals that have been exposed to tetanus can become irritable and excited, which makes them more likely to react to movements or manipulations sudden. They also seem more sensitive to noise and light.

Another sign of tetanus is a high temperature, which can be caused by an infection with clostridia or muscle contractions prolonged. In both cases, the tetanus can lead to death.

A veterinarian control the weight, temperature and reflexes of an animal. They will also do a physical exam and use sedation if necessary to prevent the animal feel uncomfortable.

Treatment

Tetanus is a serious condition that can put in danger the lives of dogs and cats. It is caused by a nerve toxin released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The spores of this bacterium can be found all over the world in the soil and in the feces of many animals.

The spores usually enter the body through wounds and then begin to grow and produce a toxin (tetanoespasmina) that cause muscle spasms and stiffness. This toxin can spread to other muscles and cause the characteristic symptoms of tetanus.

When a patient with tetanus has a new wound, it must be rinsed and treated with antibiotics to kill the spores and stop the disease. These treatments must be done as soon as possible to help prevent the spread of infection.

Treatments for tetanus is based on the history and symptoms of the patient. The first step to treat tetanus is to administer an antibiotic, such as penicillin G or metronidazole. Antibiotics should be administered every eight hours for dogs and every 12 hours for cats.

Also used several sedatives to help with the contractions, and spasms of the muscles. Can be administered as an intramuscular injection or an intradermal injection.

Another important factor to keep in mind is that the immune system of the dog or cat has weakened. This makes them less likely to respond to the antibodies that prevent tetanus.

That is why it is vital to treat any wound or injury as quickly as possible to control the disease and prevent tetanus. It is also important to avoid forming bacteria that cause tetanus.

Infection with tetanus should always be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. These infections are usually not fatal, but they can be extremely painful.

The signs of tetanus include stiffness, pain and muscle spasms in the neck, jaws and legs. These signs usually progress to the rest of the body, so it is better to get the treatment you need for your pet as soon as possible.

Treatments for tetanus involve a combination of antibiotics, sedatives, and therapy with an antitoxin. Depending on the severity of the disease, the toxin can take up to 10 days to be fully removed.