Botulism is also called Limbemeck, Alkali duck disease, Western duck sickness.
It is a disease of mammals and birds, caused by intoxication due to ingestion of food containing toxin of Cl. botulinum.
There are at least 6 types of Cl. botulinum toxin, of which all most all outbreaks in poultry are caused by type C.
Clinical findings :
Weakness with incoordination, first of the legs, then the wings and eventually the neck, followed by a flccid paralysis are classical symptoms.
Diagnosis :
A presumptive diagnosis can be made on characteristic flaccid paralytic signs, in absence of gross lesion and presence of carcasses with putrid investor or maggots may be found in the crop.
The presence of botulism toxin is confirmed by the injection of confirmed b the injection of serum or extracts of intestinal contents into mice.
A confirmatory diagnosis can be made on mouse cross protection test.
Treatment :
Administration of specific antitoxin which should result in many reactors.
A supply of fresh water of low mineral content is helpful in ducks.
Treatment with oral antibiotics in the feed or water may also be worthwhile for cases where clotridia in the intestines are producing the toxin.
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