Tetanus Flashcards
Tetanus is also known as ______, and is caused by the ______ bacterium _________ which is a normal inhabitant of the __________ and the ______
Lockjaw; anaerobic; clostridium tetani; intestinal tract; soil
Tetanus often occurs due to _______ wounds, and infection is due to _______ entering the wound
Puncture; spores
Tetanus incubation can last ___ to ___ , depending on the _________ of the wound
2-21 days; location (closer to brain = less time)
The tetanus “stance” is a _______ stance
Sawhorse
Symptoms of tetanus include…
- sawhorse stance
- head held forward
- nostrils distended
- legs placed slightly wider than normal
- tail raised
- will walk stiffly
- 3rd eyelid sometimes visible
In advanced stages of tetanus, horses may…
- become wildly excited
- have difficulty breathing
- jaw become clamped (rigid facial muscles)
Before the _______ stages of tetanus is can be treated, but after _______ is likely
Advanced; death
Tetanus has a __% mortality rate, and death usually occurs from…
80; exhaustion or respiratory failure (diaphragm becomes paralyzed)
Death from tetanus usually occurs __ to __ ____ after inital onset of symptoms
5 - 7 days
Treatment of tetanus includes _______ combined with _______, however ________ can make symptoms worse
Antibiotics; wound debridement; penicillin
To treat tetanus, you need to ______ the C. tetani with _______. You can also control muscle spasms by giving ________
Neutralize; antitoxin; central acting muscle relaxants
To treat tetanus, you need to ______ the C. tetani with _______. You can also control muscle spasms by giving ________
Neutralize; antitoxin; central acting muscle relaxants
To prevent tetanus, a yearly vaccination with tetanus ______ should be given, and injured horses should be given a booster treatment with tetanus ______
Toxoid; antitoxin
