Tetanus in Cows

Many afflictions can affect cows, and tetanus is just one of them. Fortunately, tetanus is quite rare in cattle, although when it does occur, it can be very damaging to the animals and cause severe losses to stock. Tetanus is also known as lockjaw -- technically, lockjaw is an early symptom of tetanus characterized by jaw muscle spasms -- and is usually associated with calving and castration when diagnosed in cattle.

  1. Tetanus

    • Tetanus is a fatal disease that a bacterium found in the soil and in the guts of humans and animals causes. The disease gets into an animal via a wound or infection and in the absence of oxygen, begins to multiply and spread. The bacterium produces deadly toxins that are transported toward the brain. Once they reach the brain, the first signs of tetanus begin to manifest themselves. The time between infection and the symptoms of the disease can be days or weeks depending on how restricted the oxygen was.

    Signs

    • Many signs will alert the farmer to the existence of tetanus in cows. Abnormalities in movement begin to show first, such as reluctance to move, stiffness and an unsteady gait. The tail can go stiff, and lockjaw is a big danger sign. The cattle may become restless and excitable. Their muscles may begin twitching and the cattle could become bloated. In later stages, the cattle fall over and begin to spasm with their legs held out stiffly. Death usually follows soon after.

    Treatment

    • If you detect it early, then you can effectively treat tetanus, because cattle respond to tetanus treatments better than most other livestock. Penicillin sometimes helps as does local treatment of the infected area. Sedatives and relaxants can aid recovery. Give treated and recovering animals extra care and attention such as warm, dry, dark areas with good bedding for resting and recovery. In the advanced stages of tetanus, it is not much use providing treatment as it is probably too late to help the animal; therefore, early detection is vital.

    Prevention

    • Because the procedures most responsible for cattle getting tetanus are castration and calving, take extra care when performing these tasks. Carry out both procedures in as clean and hygienic an environment as possible, and make sure all surgical instruments are well-sterilized. You can administer short-term antitoxins to provide extra insurance, and more long term, vaccination is effective for up to three years.