Tetanus (Lockjaw, Clostridium tetani)
Tetanus is a life-threatening disease caused by the soil bacterium Clostridium tetani. Spores enter the body through the smallest wounds, and their toxin makes the muscles cramp. Horses are especially sensitive and the course is often fatal — vaccination (primary immunisation and booster) is the decisive protection.
Veterinary care required
This condition belongs in veterinary diagnosis and treatment. Compounds are at most supportive.
Priority · vet & management
Tetanus is an EMERGENCY — on suspicion call the vet immediately; therapy (antitoxin, wound care, intensive nursing, low-stimulus dark environment) is veterinary and time-critical. Decisive is prevention: full primary immunisation and regular boosters per veterinary recommendation; for injuries in unvaccinated horses, immediate veterinary passive immunisation is needed.
Possible causes
- · Clostridium tetani (spore-former from the soil)
- · entry via wounds, nail punctures, deep puncture/crush wounds
- · low-oxygen, deep wound pockets favour toxin formation
- · missing or incomplete primary immunisation
Supportive compounds · supplementary feed, not medication
Magnesium
AMGFEI freemajor element for neuromuscular function (adjunctive, no substitute for veterinary therapy)
Compound profile →Vitamin E
AMGFEI freeantioxidant for nerve and muscle cells in the long recovery (adjunctive)
Compound profile →Linseed
AMGFEI freemucilage and energy; traditionally gentle on mucosa with reduced feed intake (adjunctive)
Compound profile →Prevention
The central protection is the tetanus vaccination: complete primary immunisation and regular boosters according to veterinary vaccination recommendation. Careful wound care and a safe, nail-free housing environment complement the vaccine protection.
Equiterna's take
Equiterna treats tetanus with the highest urgency filter and places the vaccination uncompromisingly at the centre — compounds here play only a very minor role, at most accompanying the long convalescence.
Usage note
This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.
Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.