Botulism in ostriches (Struthio camelus).
An outbreak of botulism in ostriches (Struthio camelus) is described. Some birds became totally paralysed, and many developed paresis and ataxia. Clostridium botulinum type C and its toxin were found in the remains of an ostrich carcass collected from the camp in which the birds were kept. Toxin could not be demonstrated in the serum of affected ostriches. Treatment with specific antitoxin resulted in total recovery of almost all the birds.
Allwright
D M
DM
Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Wilson
M
M
Vanrensburg
W J
WJ