Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Magnesium sulfate helped control severe tetanus muscle spasms in a dog
By Simmonds, Erin E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2011·AVETS, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Magnesium sulfate as an adjunct therapy in the management of severe generalized tetanus in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 1.5-year-old golden retriever was brought in for a wound on its leg and showed signs of severe generalized tetanus, which caused painful muscle spasms. The initial treatment included cleaning the wound and using medications to manage the spasms, but the dog continued to have severe muscle rigidity. On day 7, the vet started a magnesium sulfate infusion, which significantly improved the dog's condition within 16 hours, allowing them to stop the sedatives. The dog continued to recover and was able to go home after 14 days in the hospital.
People also search for: dog tetanus treatment · magnesium sulfate for dogs · golden retriever muscle spasms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of magnesium sulfate in a case of generalized tetanus in a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 1.5-year-old golden retriever was presented for a digital wound on the right thoracic limb and clinical signs associated with generalized tetanus. Initial case management consisted of wound debridement, treatment with metronidazole, tetanus immunoglobulin, methocarbamol, airway management via tracheostomy, and nursing care. Sedation to control severe muscle spasms became insufficient despite increasing doses of benzodiazepine, methocarbamol, and barbiturate continuous rate infusions. A magnesium sulfate continuous rate infusion was instituted on day 7 and muscle rigidity improved within 16 hours allowing discontinuation of sedative infusions over the subsequent 2 days. Clinical improvement continued and the dog was discharged on day 14. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case demonstrates the use of supraphysiologic magnesium in the treatment of severe generalized tetanus with a positive outcome. No clinical signs associated with magnesium toxicity were noted during the course of therapy. Magnesium sulfate should be considered as a potential adjunct therapy in the management of spastic paralysis caused by severe tetanus in dogs.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22316201/