Small Ruminants Practice Exam

Tetanus risk hinges on how easily an anaerobic wound toxin can develop. Goats are especially susceptible because they commonly have minor, dirty wounds from routine management like docking or castration in field conditions, where soil and debris can contaminate the wound. In kids, neonatal tetanus is a particular problem when colostral antibody transfer is inadequate or maternal vaccination is lacking. This combination—goats’ exposure to dirty wounds and the high potential for anaerobic environments—makes them more prone to tetanus than cattle, pigs, or sheep. Ensuring vaccination of the dam and the kids, plus thorough wound cleaning and proper handling during procedures, helps prevent this.