A Complete Guide to Tetanus in Goats

Tetanus is a serious and often fatal disease of goats caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Sometimes called “lockjaw”, it is a clostridial disease that affects the nervous system and leads to severe muscle spasms, paralysis, and death.

Because the disease progresses rapidly and treatment is rarely successful, prevention is the most effective way to protect goats. This guide explains everything goat keepers in the UK need to know about tetanus – including causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium tetani, a bacterium that:

• Is commonly found in soil, manure, and the digestive tracts of animals.
• Survives for years in the environment as hardy spores.
• Enters the body through wounds, such as cuts, punctures, castration or disbudding sites, and hoof injuries.

Once inside the body, the bacteria multiply in anaerobic (low oxygen) environments such as deep wounds. They release tetanospasmin, a potent neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system and causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms.

Causes and Risk Factors

Goats are at particular risk of tetanus in the following situations:

• Management procedures: disbudding, castration, kidding injuries, shearing wounds, or injections with contaminated needles.
• Hoof problems: foot rot, overgrown hooves, or puncture wounds.
• Trauma: cuts or grazes contaminated with soil or manure.
• Unvaccinated goats: those without protection are most vulnerable.

Any wound – even a small scratch – can provide an entry point for infection if spores are present.

Symptoms of Tetanus

Tetanus symptoms usually appear 3–21 days after infection, depending on the wound and toxin levels. Common signs include:

• Stiff gait and reluctance to move.
• Rigid stance with legs held straight.
• Muscle tremors or spasms, often triggered by sound or touch.
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing (hence “lockjaw”).
• Protrusion of the third eyelid.
• Tail held stiffly erect.
• Collapse, convulsions, and death due to paralysis of the breathing muscles.

Once symptoms develop, the disease usually progresses rapidly, often resulting in death within 24–72 hours.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically based on:

• Clinical signs: characteristic muscle stiffness, spasms, and lockjaw.
• History: recent wounds or husbandry procedures.
• Veterinary examination: ruling out other neurological diseases.

Laboratory confirmation is rare, as the disease progresses quickly and treatment is urgent.

Treatment

Tetanus treatment is difficult, expensive, and often unsuccessful. However, in very early cases, the following may be attempted under veterinary care:

• High doses of antitoxin to neutralise circulating toxin.
• Large doses of penicillin to kill remaining bacteria.
• Sedatives and muscle relaxants to control spasms.
• Wound cleaning and debridement to remove the source of infection.
• Supportive care – fluids, nursing, and a quiet, dark environment.

Even with aggressive treatment, survival rates are low. For this reason, prevention is always the priority.

Prevention

Vaccination

• The most effective prevention method.
• Goats in the UK are usually vaccinated with a multivalent clostridial vaccine licensed for sheep.
• Vaccination schedule:
  • Kids: two doses, 4–6 weeks apart, starting from 6–12 weeks of age depending on colostrum cover.
  • Annual boosters for all adults.
  • Breeding does: booster given 4–6 weeks before kidding to protect both doe and kids (via colostrum).
• Tetanus antitoxin may be used for immediate, short-term protection in high-risk situations (e.g. disbudding, castration).

Good Wound Management

• Keep wounds clean and dry.
• Use antiseptics to disinfect cuts or injuries.
• Maintain strict hygiene during disbudding, castration, and other procedures.
• Always use clean, sterile needles and equipment.

Hoof Care

• Trim hooves regularly to prevent overgrowth and infection.
• Treat foot rot promptly to prevent wounds that allow bacterial entry.
• Avoid keeping goats in persistently wet or muddy conditions.

Environmental Management

• Keep housing clean and dry.
• Avoid sharp objects or hazardous fencing that could cause injury.
• Provide clean bedding and remove soiled material frequently.

Economic and Welfare Impact

• Welfare: Tetanus causes severe pain, distress, and rapid death, making it a major welfare concern.
• Economic loss: Loss of valuable kids, breeding stock, or fibre-producing animals.
• Treatment costs: Expensive and usually unsuccessful compared to the cost of vaccination.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

Contact a vet if:

• Goats show signs of muscle stiffness, spasms, or neurological changes.
• A wound looks contaminated or is slow to heal.
• You need advice on tetanus vaccination programmes or antitoxin use.

Conclusion

Tetanus is a deadly but preventable disease in goats. Caused by Clostridium tetani toxins, it typically enters through wounds and results in severe neurological symptoms and rapid death. Treatment is rarely effective once signs appear, but prevention is straightforward through vaccination, good wound care, and proper management.

For goat keepers in the UK, a robust clostridial vaccination programme and attention to hygiene during routine husbandry are essential steps in protecting herds against this devastating disease.