Because tetanus anti-toxin is not usually effective once the toxin has reached the spinal cord, injecting it immediately is vital if the goat is to have any chance of surviving. The constant rubbing of the neck of a chained or tethered goat can produce skin lesions that result in tetanus. Elastrator bands used for castrating young males can provide an environment for the introduction of tetanus. Tetanus flourishes in areas where oxygen is not plentiful, i.e. anaerobic conditions. Maintaining a clean environment, particularly in barns where horses are or have been kept, is essential.
Horse feces is a well-known repository of tetanus.
Tetanus spores accumulate in the soil in vast numbers where livestock is crowded and kept under intensive management conditions. Early symptoms include a rigid gait, mild bloat, and anxiety. It is not a pretty sight. Diagnosing tetanus can be complicated by the fact that some symptoms resemble those of other diseases. Then flush the wound with hydrogen peroxide as hair, dirt and other debris are removed from it.