Botulism in dogs: review article

Abstract

Botulism is a disease caused by ingestion of toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum, a
gram positive bacterium, anaerobic spore-forming, which are widely distributed in nature, soil
and sediments of lakes and seas. In dogs, the disease mainly occurs by ingestion of preformed
toxin present in spoiled food or rotting carcasses. Once absorbed, the toxin migrates through
hematogenous until the nerve endings and blocks the release of acetylcholine at the
presynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction, resulting in complete paralysis of the
lower motor neuron. The affected dogs have ascending flaccid paralysis of the skeletal
muscles, although the sensitivity and awareness are maintained. Initial diagnosis is carried out
through the history of the animal as well as clinical manifestations. The standard technique
for definitive diagnosis is intraperitoneal inoculation of blood serum of suspected animals in
mice. Supportive care is essential to recovery. The prognosis is good if there is no
development of secondary infections or other complications. The recovery is complete after a
period of 2 to 3 weeks. In more severe cases, death can occur due to paralysis of the
respiratory muscles. The prevention of the disease in dogs is based on restricting the
consumption of spoiled food or rotting carcasses