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Thirteen cases of botulism in horses fed big bale silage
Author(s) -
Ricketts S. W.,
Greet T. R. C.,
Glyn P. J.,
Ginnett C. D. R.,
McAllister E. P.,
McCAIG J.,
Skinner P. H.,
Webbon P. M.,
Frape D. L.,
Smith G. R.,
Murray L. G.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb02004.x
Subject(s) - silage , botulism , paresis , outbreak , clostridium botulinum , medicine , veterinary medicine , toxin , zoology , biology , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , virology
Summary An outbreak of pharyngeal and limb paresis involving four horses and nine ponies in the south east of England is described. Nine of the animals died or were destroyed on humane grounds. The clinical features suggested a diagnosis of botulism and mouse innoculation tests confirmed the presence of type B toxin in the serum of one case. All animals were fed big bale silage. It is described how, in plastic wrapped silage manufacture, conditions of fermentation may be inadequate to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Examination of a sample of silage fed to the affected horses suggested that this was probably the source of the toxin.