Chery Newsham is known to all at our surgery for her diligent horse care. She is also someone who keeps up to date with her horses vaccinations. (We wish there were more like her). Unfortunately, for various reasons her treasured Australian Stock horse colt “Della” had slipped through her safety net while he was away getting broken in. His vaccinations were no longer up to date.

Within a couple of weeks she began to notice that the colt was “not quite right”. After a couple of days she made the trip to the vet surgery – some 300 or so kms. On admitting “Della” we noticed a few vague signs of early tetanus and started treating him for the same. No obvious wounds could be found on the horse’s body, in his mouth or his hooves. It appeared that he had recently been freeze branded. Over the next 24 hours he developed the typical prolapsed of the third eyelids, the stiff gait, and the tightening of the facial muscles.

“Della” was given massive doses of Tetanus Antitoxin and large doses of Procaine Penicillin. He was kept in a quiet, dark stall. He was given pain relief and mild sedation. After 17 days he was well enough to be discharged and travel home.

Horses with Tetanus are usually not as fortunate as “Della”. Several things were in his favour. The progression of his tetani signs was relatively slow, giving us time to treat him. Often the first sign noticed by the owners is a stiff horse unable to walk, eat or drink. At this stage euthanasia is often considered because the horse’s chances are slim and the suffering immense.

“Della’s” docile nature was also a plus in his struggle with Tetanus. If they are easily startled this can exacerbate the muscle spasms. He continued to be able to eat and drink etc.

The colt made a full recovery and is now a working stallion.