Sarita Yadav, Ashok K. Boora, K. P. Singh, A.K.  Balhara

Tetanus is an acute infectious fatal toxaemic disease caused by a specific neurotoxin tetanospasmin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that grows under anaerobic conditions in necrotic tissue. The disease is characterized by hyperesthesia (increased sensitization) generalized rigidity, tetany (localized spasmodic contraction), muscle stiffness, trismus (lockjaw) and convulsion. Disease has been reported from all parts of the world mainly in tropical and subtropical countries. In India sporadic cases of disease have been reported.

Transmission

Clostridium tetani spores or bacteria is found in 30-42% of world soil samples and in the digestive tract and faeces of animals, especially horses.  Horses shed the spores in their faeces and contaminate soil / pasture. There is considerable variation in susceptibility between the animal species, the horse being the most susceptible and reports of tetanus in buffaloes are scanty in comparison to cattle, sheep and goat. Portal of entry of spores is through deep punctured wounds including surgical wounds, calving, and castration, through umbilicus and through injury in mouth of young calves. Introduction of infection to the genital tract at the time of parturition is the usual portal of entry in buffalo.

Symptoms

Water buffalo is susceptible to most diseases and parasites that afflict cattle, although the effects of disease on buffalo and its productivity are sometimes less evident. Tetanus in buffaloes were observedwith clinical symptoms like prolapse of third eyelid, complete locking of jaw, development of curve in spine, erection of ear and typical “pump-handle” position of tail. Diagnosis can be established on the basis of case history and clinical signs.

 Treatment

• Irrigation of genital tract with 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
• Antibiotic penicillin G procaine in high dose @ 30,000 IU per kg body weight twice daily.
• Ketoprofen @ 3mg/Kg body weight intramuscularly at 24 hour interval
• Administration of tetanus antitoxin before clinical sign appear, it is of limited value once clinical signs have appeared.
•  Muscle relaxant chlorpromazine @ 1mg /kg body weight intramuscularly three times a day as a supportive therapy to control muscle spasms.
• Daily hypertonic saline solution (7.5%) and dextrose normal saline (5%) from the day animal was off-feed.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of the disease will be based on history of deep puncture wound/ surgery/ calving/ animal suffered with tetanus in same barn in past and clinical signs. There is no satisfactory clinic – pathological test.

Differential diagnosis

• Milk fever/ hypocalcaemia – Fever, opisthotonous and bloat are not there. Such cases respond to Ca therapy dramatically.
• Strychnine poisoning – large number of animals are affected at one time, no tetany and trismus.

Precaution

• Segregate the buffalo from the rest of the herd and house in a dark and quiet place with soft straw bedding.
• Clean and disinfect the premises / sheds

Tetanus cases associated with unsanitary conditions at the time of parturition can be avoided by adopting hygienic practices and proper sanitation. Clostridium tetani spores can persist in soil for years and are resistant to most common disinfectants. Vaccination is usually not practiced in buffaloes but in areas where further cases may be anticipated two doses of tetanus toxoid @1-2ml I/M 45 days apart can be given in late pregnancy.