Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
An outbreak of equine botulism type A associated with feeding grass clippings.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Ostrowski, Stephanie R et al.
- Affiliation:
- California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In September 2010, four horses in northern California became seriously ill after eating grass clippings from a nearby park. They developed a condition where they couldn't move properly, which is a sign of botulism caused by a toxin from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Within two days of eating the clippings, all four horses showed severe weakness in their necks and sadly, they either died or had to be put down within four days. One horse was examined after death, revealing significant swelling in certain areas of its body, and tests showed that the grass clippings contained the dangerous toxin. This situation highlights the importance of quickly recognizing symptoms, starting treatment right away, and avoiding feeding spoiled or potentially harmful forage to horses.
Abstract
In September 2010, an outbreak of type A botulism involved 4 horses in northern California that were fed grass clippings obtained from a nearby park. All 4 animals developed a progressive flaccid paralysis syndrome clinically consistent with exposure to preformed Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Within 48 hr of consuming the grass clippings, all 4 horses showed marked cervical weakness (inability to raise their heads to a normal position) and died or were euthanized within 96 hr. One horse was submitted for diagnostic examination and subsequent necropsy. At necropsy, extensive edema was observed in areas of the nuchal ligament and inguinal fascia. A sample of the grass clippings tested positive for preformed BoNT type A by the mouse bioassay test. Emphasis should be placed on early case recognition, rapid initiation of treatment with the trivalent antitoxin product, and preventing exposure to BoNT in spoiled forages.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22529134/