Bovine
tetanus is a serious
infectious disease of the central nervous system caused by the
exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani and is characterized by persistent tension and
spasm of the rhabdomyocytes. Currently, many studies have focused on diagnosing
tetanus; however, only a few studies on treatment methods have been conducted. Therefore, cattle with
tetanus have been treated using symptomatic
therapy. In this case, severe
muscle spasticity and
spasms were observed in a 9-month-old Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) bull, and
aspartate aminotransferase and
creatine kinase levels were increased in serum biochemical tests. Clinically, bovine
tetanus was strongly suspected, and
metronidazole was administered orally for 5 days. To treat the intensifying bloat, a temporary rumenostomy was performed on the third day of onset, and the toxin gene (
tetanospasmin) of C. tetani was amplified by polymerase chain reaction analysis from the collected ruminal fluid.
Magnesium and
sedatives (
acepromazine) were administered for 7 days to treat
muscle spasticity and
spasms.
Muscle spasticity and
spasm markedly improved, and the bull stood up from the lateral recumbent position. On the 17th day after onset, all
tetanus-related symptoms resolved and a normal diet was started. Our findings demonstrated that treatment with
metronidazole,
magnesium, and
acepromazine was effective in the bull with
tetanus.