Botulism in dogs: A clinical case study

Abstract

Botulism is a rare and fatal disease of humans and animals caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that produces the botulinum toxin responsible for flaccid paralysis. The present case study discusses about the clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic outcome of carrion associated botulism in dogs. A total of eight dogs were presented with signs of dysphagia, regurgitation, incoordination in gait and recumbency in some cases after feeding with poultry abattoir waste. Radiographic findings revealed megaesophagus with ingested bone pieces in stomach of five dogs. Based on the clinical signs, anamnestic data, and radiographic findings the cases were tentatively diagnosed as carrion botulism and was successfully managed.