Can Dogs Get Tetanus? Understanding the Risks and Preve

Tetanus

Tetanus has been a disease that has accompanied humanity for many years. Its deadly power is not confined to humans; it also poses a significant threat to dogs and other animals.

The causative agent of tetanus is a bacterium known as Clostridium tetani. This bacterium is incredibly widespread, with soil being its most common habitat. It can survive in ambient temperatures for years and even evolves into a spore form after being excreted by dogs in their feces.

Surprisingly, it can also endure boiling water for up to 15 to 90 minutes.

However, there's no need to worry. Clostridium tetani does not thrive in a dog's intestines or intact skin. It is an anaerobic bacterium, which means it's quite vulnerable in the presence of oxygen.

Some might argue that this bacterium is formidable, but there's even more to it. Tetanus is particularly cunning because, unlike most bacteria that focus on the wound site when entering the body, Clostridium tetani takes a different approach. It first spreads to the surrounding tissues around the wound and then attacks the central nervous system through the muscle tissues. The central nervous system's headquarters? The brain and spinal cord.

Types of Tetanus

While there hasn't been much research on human tetanus, dogs can be affected by two types of tetanus:

1. Local Tetanus

This is the most common form, affecting the limbs and the surrounding tissues of the dog's wound. You might notice stiffness in these areas, along with muscle tremors. Although theoretically, local tetanus can progress to a generalized form if not treated promptly, this is quite rare.

2. Generalized Tetanus

This is the true tetanus. Dogs with generalized tetanus will experience stiffness in their limbs, difficulty walking, and even tail stiffness. They may also find it hard to bend their legs and move normally. Due to the bacterium's preference for attacking the brain and spinal cord, dogs may exhibit a strange, rigid facial expression.

In extreme cases, the throat muscles can also be affected by tetanus, making it difficult for dogs to breathe and eat.

So, how can we prevent tetanus?

Not with vaccines, you might say. Veterinarians agree that dogs and cats have a high resistance to tetanus, so vaccination is not necessary. In fact, it's cows that are most in need of tetanus vaccination.

Then, how can we detect it early?

When dogs are infected with generalized tetanus, the first sign is often in their eyes. Their eyes may lose the ability to blink, and the only movement you'll see is the third eyelid. Many owners might mistake this for an eye condition and delay treatment. Dogs may also become highly sensitive to light and sound, and a simple movement could trigger a fullbody spasm or muscle twitching.