A wound on her toe had been present and reluctantly healing for about 3 weeks. Her mom noticed that her ears were standing up on her head, her eyes were pulled back into her head and moving quickly in multiple directions. She also had her facial muscles twitching and pulling her mouth back to her ears. She had a “tragic” look to her face. She also was not walking normally and not eating or behaving normally.

Tetanus is diagnosed based on examination and clinical signs.

A quiet place, sedatives and palliative care is provided. There is not a diagnostic test to diagnose this. There is also not a cure. Time and careful medical care under close observation is best. Kana was kept at the University of Pennsylvania vet school for a week. We were most concerned about her ability to eat and swallow. Luckily the muscles in her mouth and neck were not affected.

Time and care resolved her clinical signs. Care at Jarrettsville Vet was an examination. Cost of care at the vet school is listed separately. The exam was provided by me. This story is posted with permission.