Attention! This is a potentially life-threatening condition for your goat. Time is of the essence, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Tetanus

Lockjaw

Tetanus is an acute, usually fatal, disease caused by a highly potent neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium tetani bacterium. C. tetani spores are found in soil and manure worldwide. C. tetani enters the goat's body through a puncture wound, which leads to uncontrollable muscle contractions and spasms. The spores accumulate in the soil, particularly where cattle were kept. Goats living in the same area as cattle are at increased risk of the disease.

Symptoms

Stiffness
Reluctance to move
Difficulty opening mouth
Sawhorse like stance
Collapse
Seizures
Hypersensitive to touch and sound
Convulsions

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Physical exam

Treatment Options

Treatment TypeDetails
Tetanus antitoxin10,000–15,000 units IV BID
Penicillin G, procaine25,000 IU/kg IM BID
Acepromazine0.2 mg/kg IM

Prevention

  • Routinely vaccinate herds

Prognosis

Guarded

References

    Risk Factors

    • Recent injury in an unvaccinated goat
    • Goats living in the same area as cattle

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