What to Do If Your Dog Gets Tetanus

Dogs resist tetanus better than many animals, but a bad case still kills by suffocation. After a 5–21 day incubation the dog shows stiff ears, a fixed stare, drooling, and spasms, and may die within days; recovery is slow and many never fully regain muscle control. Treatment means quiet, dark nursing, cleaning the wound with antiseptic, and controlling spasms under a vet's care.