‫ﻣﺎﺟﺴﺘﯿﺮ أﻣﺮاض دواﺟﻦ‬/‫ ﺿﯿﺎء ﺟﺎﺑﺮ اﻟﺰﺑﯿﺪي‬.

‫د‬ BOTULISM

4 This is a major problem in wild ducks in the western U.S.

4 It also affects all domestic avian species.
4 Problem caused by powerful toxin.

4 Infection not present in affected bird.

4 Condition referred to as "Limber neck" in chickens.

CAUSATIVE AGENT
4 Exotoxin produced by bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

4 Type A and C usually seen in domestic birds.

4 Western duck sickness is caused by type C.

Cl. botulinum, a large gram (+) spore forming rod that grows
anaerobically.
4 0.00012 mg of toxin will kill adult guinea pig.

4 Botulism has occurred in broiler flocks in the last few years that
resembles an infectious disease with mortality in consecutive
flocks in the same house.

4 In ducks - most losses due to dehydration. A supply of fresh water

decreases mortality.

4 Buzzards withstand as much as 300,000 guinea pig lethal doses.

INCUBATION PERIOD
- 24 to 48 hours after toxin is consumed.

COURSE OF DISEASE
- acutely affected bird seldom survives. In mild case, birds may
recover in 2-3 days.

MORTALITY
- 1 to 100%.

METHOD OF SPREAD IN CHICKENS AND PHEASANTS

4 In backyard flocks and floor layers -decomposing dead animals
and fly maggots feeding on dead animals.

4 1 g. fly larvae may contain 180,000 mouse LD-50’s

METHOD OF SPREAD
(DUCKS)

4 Western duck sickness - shallow alkaline lakes with high content

of botulism in mud --> decay of vegetation --> anaerobicconditions
--> insect larvae die contaminated with botulism --> ingested
by ducks --> ducks die of toxin --> ingested by blowflies -->
flies die in water --> ingested by ducks --> perpetuation of
outbreak.
 CLINICAL SIGNS
1. Dullness, leg weakness, and progressive paralysis.
2. Complete paralysis of neck and wing muscles, head rests on
ground. Neck is extended (limberneck).
3. Paralysis--> coma--> death.
4. Feathers are loose and easily plucked.
Erector pili muscles is affected.
5. Half open eyes in broilers.

4 Very sick, septic birds can look the same way.

POSTMORTEM LESIONS
4 No diagnostic lesions.

4 Maggots may be present in the crop.

DIAGNOSIS
4 Suggestive - usually good enough typical symptoms.
4 Positive - demonstration of the toxin intraperitoneal inoculation of
susceptible mice with serum, or feed material from crop and
intestine to susceptible mice. Control mice protected with
antiserum should also be inoculated.
TREATMENT
1.Treating visibly affected birds is of little value.
2.Epsom salts in the feed 1 lb. per 75 to 100 birds for 4 to 5 hours. Will
purge the digestive tract.
Molasses in the water 1 pt/5 gal for one day.
4 In broiler house, with history of botulism problem, change the pH
of the soil.

4 Treat with antibiotics effective against gram (+) bacteria, such as

bacitracin, as soon as diarrhea develops.

4 Anti-oxidant effect of selenium also helps problem by clearing free

radicles.

4 For valuable birds you may use specific antitoxin 2-4 mls in large
ducks.

4 Cost approximately $2500/500 ml.

PREVENTION
4 Feed fresh wholesome ration.
4 Make sure all dead birds are removed from pens each day.

4 Antibiotics in broilers (bacitracin).

4 Vaccinate valuable birds with two injections of type A and C

toxoid 3-4 weeks apart.
PREVENTION IN BROILER HOUSE
4 Clean out affected house.
4 Put in new litter and "top dress" with litter from "good house".
4 Acidifying soil and litter in affected houses. (Sulphur)

4 Apply salt (60 lbs. NaCl/1000 sq.ft.) to floors. This will go

right into the litter. But the salt can damage metal equipment.