Botulismo bovino: relato de casos

Abstract

Botulism is caused by the ingestion of neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum that can affect all mammals and birds. This work aims to report two outbreaks of cattle botulism in farms located in Morada Nova de Minas and Itaúna, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In the first farm, of a total of 150 animals, 25 died and in the second, from a batch of 30 animals, two died. The affected animals presented progressive flaccid paralysis, difficulty in walking, chewing and swallowing. Deaths occurred due to cardiac arrest between 12 and 72 hours from the onset of symptoms. No significant gross alterations were observed during necropsies. The diagnosis of botulism was confirmed after types C and D botulinum toxins were identified in the intestinal contents of the animals by mouse neutralization test. The treatment consisted of anti-botulinum serum administration, oral fluid therapy, nursing care, changing the animals body position during the day, massage and muscles stimulation, and supply of good quality hay and ration. Recovery rates were 60% (6 of 10 animals with clinical symptoms) and 66% (4/6), respectively for the primary and second farms.