DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.56496 / NASH6336

Kai Dillenburger-Keenan , BSc , RVN

Swift Referrals , Wetherby , West Yorkshire

ENVELOPE kaidk @ me . com

Kai qualified from Dundalk Institute of Technology in 2020 with a BSc in veterinary nursing . She worked for 18 months in a local first opinion practice near her home in Northern Ireland before moving to work in a referral practice in England . Kai has been at Swift Referrals for just over 2 years . She has gained an interest in medicine through a very interesting medical caseload and has started her emergency and critical care certificate with the aim of becoming a more well-rounded nurse .

ABSTRACT Tetanus is a rare but life-threatening condition . This case study explores the nursing care of Luther , a 3-year-old German pointer , following his diagnosis , and outlines the treatment of the condition . Luther has since made a full recovery . The photos in this article are of Luther , and his owner has granted consent for their use .

Keywords tetanus , dog , case study

What is tetanus ?

The term ‘ tetanus ’ comes from the Greek word ‘ tetanos ’, which means ‘ tension ’ or ‘ stretch ’ [ 1 ] . The condition is caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria , the spores of which are abundant in the environment , in soil , dust and manure .

Tetanus primarily affects the nervous system , spinal cord and brain function . The interruptions to these systems cause hyperexcitability resulting in muscle spasms [ 2 ] . If not treated efficiently and effectively , the condition can become life-threatening .

Pathophysiology

C . tetani bacteria enter the body via a wound . The toxin they produce is then taken up by the lower motor neurons and transported to the central nervous system . It is from here that the toxin moves to the inhibitory nerve terminals , which are the neurons designed to stop unnecessary stimulus . It blocks the sensors , leading to impulsivity of the lower motor neurons . Lots of impulses are then sent to the muscle cells , resulting in sustained contraction , which causes the muscle rigidity and spasms associated with the condition [ 3 ] .

The incubation time ranges in dogs . Generally , it takes 10 – 14 days before clinical signs are seen , although it could take up to several weeks [ 4 ] . This makes prompt diagnosis and treatment of the condition more difficult .

C . tetani bacteria are anaerobic , meaning they do not require oxygen . Puncture wounds ( which are deep and narrow compared with superficial wounds , which have a larger surface area ) allow the bacteria to reproduce quickly in an oxygen-deprived setting [ 5 ] .

In a study of infected dogs , 27 % of the 35 dogs sampled had a wound caused by a foxtail or grass seed .

40 Veterinary Nursing Journal