TETANUS

The risk of complications, the expected prognosis and the likely duration of hospitalisation are all important factors to consider when determining if intensive therapy is the best option for a patient.

Dilemma:

You have diagnosed a Springer Spaniel with tetanus and the client is asking about the likely cost and expected outcome for her pet. You haven’t seen a case of tetanus before so immediately refer to VETbytes for your answer.

Ask VETbytes?

Use REAL-WORLD DATA to explain reported risks and prognosis and to set realistic expectations for pet owners

Client communication

Discussing the prognosis of tetanus infection with a client

Vet: I understand you have some questions about your dog’s recent diagnosis of tetanus and what to expect in terms of treatment and recovery. Let’s go through the details.

Tetanus can be quite serious, but with intensive management, the prognosis is generally good. Reported survival rates for dogs range from 50-92%. However, if respiratory complications like aspiration pneumonia or upper airway obstruction occur, the survival rate drops significantly to around 14.3%. Other serious complications can include heart and blood pressure abnormalities, sepsis, seizures and self-trauma.

Client: How long is he likely to be hospitalised, he hates being at the vet and sometimes gets aggressive. How long until he gets home and gets back to normal?

Vet: The median (typical) duration of hospitalisation for tetanus in dogs is reported to be between 8 and 17 days. Full recovery can take a little longer, with a median time of about 34 days. You might typically see the first signs of improvement around 11 days into treatment.

Please be aware that the signs might worsen during the first 2-3 days of treatment before they start getting better. Recovery often requires weeks to months of intensive supportive care because it depends on the regrowth of nerve endings.

I should also mention that In the longer term, some dogs may experience abnormal sleep behaviours such as twitching, vocalising, or spasms, which might be confused with epileptic seizures. About half of these cases resolve within six months.

Client: Thank you for explaining that. It sounds like it’s going to be a long road and potentially very expensive.

Vet: It can be, but we’ll be here to support you and your dog every step of the way. If you have any more questions or concerns as we go through this process, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome for your dog.

Client: Thank you I’ll have to speak with the rest of the family and we’ll decide whether embarking on this treatment is the right option for him and for us.