Tetanus in the Horse: A Review of 20 Cases

The point here is that yearly vaccination of horses for tetanus remains a sensible recommendation.
DrO

Tetanus in the Horse: A Review of 20 Cases

J Vet Intern Med 1994;8: 128- 132.
Sherril L. Green, Christopher 8. Little, John D. Baird, Robert R. M. Tremblay, and Laura L. Smith-Maxie

The case records of 20 horses with tetanus referred to the Ontario Veterinary College-Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1970 and 1990 were reviewed. The fatality rate was 75%. There was a strong association with previous vaccination and survival (P = .03). The prognosis was best for horses that (1) had been vaccinated prior to the injury, (2) responded to the phenothiazine tranquilizers, and (3) did not rapidly (over 24 to 48 hours) become recumbent. Considering the species susceptibility, potential for contaminated wounds, and the increased surviva l of vaccinated horses, yearly revaccination is recommended.