The majority of the clinical effects of C. tetani are due to the neurological effects of tetanospasmin. Tetanospasmin diffuses in the muscle and neuronal terminals, traveling up the motor axons to the central nervous system. At the spinal cord and medulla, synaptic inhibitions are decreased, resulting in muscles that are continuously contracted until physical exhaustion occurs. Eventually death results from respiratory failure. Clinical Signs Clinical signs typically occur four to ten days post injury.
Death results from respiratory failure.
Prevention Using clean needles and clean tools for castration, tagging, shearing and docking, can prevent tetanus. Also a vaccination program that includes an eight in one clostridium vaccine can protect against clostridial disease. In addition, treatment of animals with puncture wounds should include injection of tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics. The wound should be thoroughly cleaned with water and antibacterial solution. Smaller puncture wounds should be opened and flushed with hydrogen peroxide solution.