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Horses are one of the most susceptible animal species to infection with C. botulinum. Equine botulism can be caused by type A, B, C, and D toxins. The main initial signs in adult horses include: Generalized muscle weakness. Dysphagia. Decreased tail, eyelid, and tongue tone. Mydriasis.
Watch for signs: Horses laying down more than usual, particularly if more than one horse is involved; muscle tremors; weakness resulting in inability to stand; loss of tongue control; inability to swallow resulting in drooling and difficulty eating and drinking; stiff, short stride or stumbling gait; and loss of tail tone. Oftentimes, horses ...
Botulism in horses is a devastating illness that occurs when they ingest toxins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The resulting disruption of communication between nerves and muscles leads to debilitating and potentially deadly neuromuscular impairment. Without prompt treatment, botulism in horses is almost always fatal.
The frequency of botulism in animals is not known with accuracy, but it is low in horses. The signs of botulism are caused by muscle paralysis. They include paralysis that becomes progressively more severe, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and overall weakness.
Botulism in horses often results from forage contaminated with type C or D toxin. In six of eight outbreaks of equine botulism associated with type A, the source of infection was confirmed to be hay or silage.
Many affected horses succumb to recumbency and death/euthanasia shortly after onset of signs. Botulism should be considered a differential diagnosis for any horse displaying dysphagia or symmetrical neuromuscular weakness.
Physical activity or transporting the horse may worsen clinical signs. Within 48 hours, horses affected with botulism can be recumbent and unable to rise, typically with their chins resting on the ground. Respiratory paralysis usually forces euthanasia, or the horse will die spontaneously.
Botulism is a progressive, flaccid paralysis resulting from ingestion of a bacterial toxin (from Clostridium botulinum) which can be rapidly fatal if not aggressively treated from the first clincal signs.
Initial clinical signs include difficulty eating with apparent excess salivation, weak eyelid tone, weak tail tone and exercise intolerance. Affected animals also spend increased amounts of time resting due to generalized muscle weakness, which is associated with tremors, carpal buckling and ataxia.
Equine botulism is a severe condition that can have debilitating effects on horses. Understanding its causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention is essential for horse owners and caretakers.
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