Muscular Tone and Gait Abnormalities

Diagnosis and treatment of umbilical cord-derived tetanus in neonatal calves

“…The diagnosis is usually made based on clinical findings. In this study, similar to several others (3,5,6,9), umbilical cordderived neonatal tetanus was diagnosed tentatively with history and disease-specific clinical findings. However, the importance of other diagnostic parameters and the efficacy of treatment in neonatal tetanus were also examined.…”

“…It was reported that no specific abnormalities were observed in blood parameters in tetanus (3,4). However, neutrophilic leukocytosis and left shift were reported to be observed due to the wounds in dogs and cats (13).…”

“…Objectives of the treatment of tetanus include neutralization of residual or unbound toxin, elimination of the infective agent, controlling of muscular spasms, maintenance of hydration and nutrition, and applications of supportive therapy (2)(3)(4). In this study, treatments reported by several researchers (2-4) were performed.…”

“…Tetanus in ruminants is generally observed sporadically. Tetanus in young farm animals may be rarely seen as outbreaks (3,4). The mortality rate is over 80% in young ruminants (4).…”

“…Tetanus in young ruminants and/or calves was reported to follow castration, shearing, tail docking, elastrator bands, dehorning, or infected umbilical stalks and injections of pharmaceuticals and vaccines (1,3). Neonatal tetanus is usually observed in calves, and it occurs due to umbilical cord infection as a result of unsanitary birthing conditions (2,4).…”