Tetanus (Lockjaw) in Horses

This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.

Tetanus, commonly referred to as Lockjaw, is a bacterial toxin that attacks the nervous system of a horse’s body. It is an often fatal disease, caused when an open wound gets infected by this tetanus bacteria.

Tetanus bacteria can be found all around horses, since it resides in their gut, even in those of healthy horses, and gets passed with their droppings.

Symptoms

Treatment

This disease can be treated, but is expensive and still comes with a high mortality rate due to a delayed diagnosis.
If the disease is diagnosed early, treatment of tetanus antitoxin injections and general supportive care can save the horse’s life.

Prevention

By receiving a yearly Tetanus vaccination or toxoid, a horse can develop antibodies, which let’s their immune system protect themselves against this disease.
Vaccination against tetanus can be done in any healthy horse over 12 weeks of age. Tetanus requires two vaccinations initially, 1 month apart, then a booster in 12 months. These horses should be vaccinated annually thereafter.