Botulism is a rare condition that causes paralysis in dogs. Botulism is caused by ingesting the botulinum toxin, which is a substance produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Most cases of botulism in dogs are caused by eating dead animals or contaminated raw meat.
How do you know if a dog has botulism?
The signs of botulism are caused by muscle paralysis and include progressive motor paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness. Death is usually due to paralysis of the lungs or heart.
Is botulism curable in dogs?
As it can be difficult to find an animal hospital that can provide the level of care necessary, botulism in dogs can be fatal. There has been some success with botulinum antitoxin, though how successful it is depends on what type of animal the host is and what toxin is involved in the illness.
Are dogs susceptible to botulism?
Dogs are relatively resistant to the botulism toxin and toxicity is rare and has not been reported in cats. The most common way that dogs come in contact with the bacterial toxin is by consuming dead animals that contain the toxin, and the amount ingested is directly associated with the severity of the illness.
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