Tetanus in dogs is a relatively uncommon neurological disease caused by the sporogenic bacillus Clostridium tetani. This disease is associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality rates from 8%-50%. A 2-year-old, neutered male King Charles Spaniel and an approximately 8-months-old female Mongrel dog presented to Companion Animal Clinic with symptoms of
muscle rigidity and generalized stiffness. A tentative diagnosis of generalized
tetanus was made in both dogs. Treatment consisted of IV fluids,
antibiotics (
metronidazole), human
tetanus antitoxin,
analgesics and supportive care. Muscle relaxation was provided by
midazolam.
Acetylpromazine meleate was added to the treatment of the second dog to better control excitability. Each dog received
magnesium therapy on the 10th and 3rd days, respectively; which was provided per os to the first dog and constant rate infusion (4 mg/kg/h) to the second dog. The addition of
magnesium helped to increase muscle relaxation and increased the time interval between
acetylpromazine administration. On the tenth day,
magnesium sulfate was discontinued from the second dog and
magnesium aspartate (12 mg/kg), twice a day, per os was administered in both animals. Further muscle relaxation was noted in both dogs with a substantial reduction of
tetanus symptoms. Both dogs were discharged from Intensive Care Unit on the 14th and 13th day respectively with sole treatment of
magnesium aspartate (12 mg/kg) orally, twice a day.
Magnesium aspartate was continued for 14 days and 12 days respectively. Both dogs had progressive reduction of
muscle rigidity and the first dog recovered completely. The second dog presented again with
muscle rigidity and increased spinal reflexes after the discontinuation of
magnesium aspartate, thus
therapy with
magnesium aspartate was started again and symptoms subsided after the second oral dose of
magnesium.
Therapy was continued for two more weeks during which
muscle rigidity subsided and then was stopped. At that time,
tetanus symptoms did not relapse and the dog was considered fully recovered. According to the findings of this case series,
magnesium therapy may provide further muscle relaxation during the standard therapeutic protocol of
tetanus in dogs. In addition, long term symptoms of the disease were adequately managed with the administration of
magnesium aspartate, orally.