Botulism associated with feeding alfalfa hay to horses.
Botulism was believed to be the cause of progressive symmetric myasthenia in 8 horses on a farm in North Carolina. One horse was found dead, 6 were euthanatized after becoming recumbent, and 1 affected horse recovered. Cecal and colonic contents of 2 horses were determined to contain Clostridium botulinum spores. Alfalfa hay that was fed to the horses contained spores and toxin.
Wichtel
J J
JJ
Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606.
Whitlock
R H
RH
D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D001906:Botulism / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002432:Cecum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003106:Colon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006736:Horses; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification
D001905:Botulinum Toxins