T TANO

TÉTANO EM OVINOS APÓS CASTRAÇÃO COM LIGADURA DE BORRACHA Diego Medeiros Oliveira1, Tatiane Rodrigues Silva1, Rafael Otaviano Rego2, Luciano Anunciação Pimentel3, Josemar Marinho Medeiros4, Sara Vilar Dantas Simões, Franklin Riet-Correa5
1. Alunos do Curso de Mestrado em Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Campus de Patos, 58700-000, Patos, PB, Brasil. E. mail: [e-mail] (autor correspondente).
2. Aluno da Residência em Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
3. Aluno de Curso de Doutorado em Medicina Veterinária, da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Patos, PB 58700-000, Brasil.
4. Médico Veterinário, MSc, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande
5. Professores do Curso de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Campus de Patos, 58700-000 Patos, PB, Brasil PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Clostridium tetani, doenças infecciosas, pequenos ruminantes. ABSTRACT OCCURRENCE OF TETANUS IN SHEEP AFTER CASTRATION WITH A RUBBER BAND
Tetanus is of high importance for animal production. Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic and gram-positive bacillus and it is most commonly caused by a contaminated wound. This study reports a case of tetanus in 6-month-old sheep raised in Coremas, Paraíba, Brazil. A total of 11 lambs were submitted to castration with a rubber band. Four animals died and one was taken to the Veterinary Hospital at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande. The animal presented congestion of mucous membranes, tachycardia, dyspnea, staggering gait, muscular tremors, squint, limb spasms, erect ears, stiff tail, sensitivity to sonorous stimuli, mandibular spasms, and nystagmus. Based on the epidemic data, clinical analysis, and absence of pathological changes, the diagnosis of tetanus was established. We conclude that good hygiene and disinfection of wounds and surgical area are essential before castration procedures in order to minimize the chance of infection. KEYWORDS: