Tetanus in cattle

Review and case description of clinical tetanus in a Holstein heifer.

Abstract

Tetanus (Clostridium tetani infection) is a potentially life-threatening neurologic disease affecting cattle. Clinical signs of tetanus are frequently unrecognized until advanced stages of the disease, when treatment and management of affected animals are difficult and prognosis is relatively poor. This case report demonstrates the successful early diagnosis and subsequent management of wound tetanus in a 13-month-old Holstein heifer. Primary clinical signs that led to an accurate diagnosis and early treatment included stiff gait, erect tail, and prolapsed nictitans. Intensive medical management yielded a relatively rapid improvement in clinical signs. The heifer calved and entered the lactating herd. Practitioners that observe the previously mentioned clinical signs in cattle should consider tetanus as a primary differential diagnosis and initiate aggressive medical management.