Equine Tetanus -
Life or Death Information For Every Horse Owner

Equine Tetanus is a killer.

Even today with all the advances in veterinary science this deadly disease is still on the rampage. And yet it is so very easily preventable.

Let's look at how the disease affects horses in order to emphasise the importance of preventative action.

Cause and Symptoms

The disease is transmitted to a horse when the bacterial spores come into contact with an open wound. Such is the ferocity of the bacteria, that they often penetrate even small wounds such as those to the feet,which may even go unnoticed by the owner until the horse displays signs of being unwell.

The horse will progressively become more rigid in his movement and display unnatural symptoms such as a stiff walk, a raised tail and be unable to bend or flex his neck. Painful and frequent muscle spasms affecting small areas or even the horse's entire body become noticeable.

This is because the bacteria affects circulation and discharges a powerful toxin into localised muscle groups or at worse the horse's entire body. You may even notice that your horse's facial expression seems "frozen" - eyes wide, ears flat back etc.

An affected horse will often be unable to eat as the muscle spasms affect his jaw movement. This is where the term "lockjaw" originates.

Sadly, the disease is progressive and often fatal. Rapidly advancing toxins overtake the lungs so that the horse becomes unable to breathe because the muscles contracting and expanding his lungs cease to function.

Be Proactive To Protect Your Horse

Our horses do not need to suffer the agonising symptoms because we have the means to prevent it altogether. How?

Vaccination - A Small Price To Pay For Peace of Mind

A horse that has survived the disease is not automatically immune to the disease and therefore should still be vaccinated as part of their annual health care "check-up".

If you have recently purchased a horse and are unsure whether the animal has been vaccinated previously, speak to your Veterinary Surgeon as they may recommend starting a course of vaccinations in order to immunise your horse successfully.

Vaccinations can be given to any animal over the age of 3 months and should always be administered by a qualified Veterinary Surgeon. The timetable for vaccination is shown below:

• Primary dose by injection into the neck muscle of the horse
• Secondary dose by injection 28 days later again by injection into the horse's neck
• Follow up or Booster injection to be administered no more than 365 days (one year) after secondary dose.

This timetable is only provided as a guide, we recommend taking your vet's advice on the frequency of booster vaccinations, based on the manufacturers' recommendations for the vaccine he or she chooses to use.

However, it is important to point out that if the recommended timetable for vaccinations is not followed correctly - perhaps you forget the date for the booster vaccination, your horse will not receive effective immunisation and therefore will be at risk of contracting the disease.

Equine Tetanus Vaccination - What Does It Cost?

If a few friends get together you may be able to split the cost of call out between you, alternatively some vets permit you to transport your horse to the Surgery for treatment so that you don't pay a call out charge at all.

• Call out Charge - £25 - £40
• Primary and Secondary Doses are usually payable together as one amount either with the first course or after the secondary dose is administered. The approximately cost is £70.00 for both injections but please check with your own veterinary surgeon in advance for an exact costing.
• Booster Injections - approximately £30 per injection.