Botulism is a disease caused by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum and the toxin it produces. Toxin types C and D are most commonly associated with disease and death in Australian cattle.
The toxin causes paralysis, starting in the rear legs of the animal and progressing forwards.Affected animals therefore first appear to be unsteady and weak on their feet before going down and being unable to rise. Finally, the toxin affects the muscles responsible for breathing and the animal dies within 2 or 3 days. The first indication of botulism may be a number of animals dying suddenly. In Australian dairy herds, most outbreaks of botulism are the result of animals ingesting toxin contained in wet hay, decaying vegetation or decaying animal carcasses.
Conserved feeds, such as silage and hay, can contain decaying animal matter creating a high risk of botulism. For baled silage, damage to the wrapping of the bale can also cause deterioration of the silage and production of toxin if bacterial spores are present.
The practice of feeding total and partial mixed rations is associated with a significant increase in the risk of botulism and the potential for contaminated feed materials to affect multiple animals simultaneously.
Chicken litter, used as a fertiliser on some farms, may contain the carcasses of dead poultry and can therefore present a significant risk of botulism.
Few cattle survive botulism and there is no effective treatment. An outbreak can lead to serious productivity and stock loss. Prevention is the key.
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