Bovine Flash Notes - Botulism Flashcards
what is the classic case presentation of a cow with botulism?
limp/flaccid/weak, down animal - history of dead livestock with a recent change in feedstuffs, poor to absent reflexes, short-strided gait, progressive flaccid tetraparesis, & cranial nerve deficits
what are some differentials for botulism in a dog? horse? cattle?
dog - polyradiculoneuritis, tick paralysis, horse - equine degenerative myelopathy, & cattle - milk fever
T/F: there is no test of choice for botulism in cattle because making a definitive diagnosis is difficult
TRUE
how is botulism in cattle treated?
nursing care
T/F: in cattle with botulism, we usually see herd outbreaks, but in other animals such horses, cats, & dogs, it is more often individual cases
TRUE
what are the three forms of toxicity from botulism?
ingested toxin, toxicoinfectious (shaker foal) - botulinum toxin produces toxin in the foal’s small intestine, & wound botulism
what is another name for toxicoinfectious botulism?
shaker foal syndrome - happens in foals 1-3 months old with repeated episodes of trembling
what is the pathogenesis of wound botulism?
botulinum toxin grows & produces toxin from within a wound
how many types of botulinum toxin are there? dogs & cats are usually affected by which toxin? what about horses? cattle? poultry/waterfowl?
8 types!!! dogs/cats - botulinum toxin type C, horses - usually botulinum toxins B & C, cattle - usually botulinum toxins type C & D, & poultry/waterfowl - usually botulinum type C
what are 3 antibiotics to avoid when treating botulism? why?
penicillin, tetracyclines, & aminoglycosides - they increase effects on the neuromuscular blockade!!!!!
why are antibiotics for wound botulism controversial?
antibiotics may cause release of more toxin from the killed bacteria
why does botulism resemble milk fever?
both cases have down cattle that are weak/flaccid & staring at their hind end
