Botulism

 

Introduction :

• 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.