Clinical Signs | Botulism

Clinical signs occur from 2-48 hours after exposure to the toxin. Animals are depressed, unwilling to rise, anorexic, and drool. As the disease progresses, an unsteady gait is seen with the weakness of legs, muscle tremors and eventually lateral recumbency.

These signs are caused by a flaccid paralysis beginning in the hind quarters and progressing to the front quarters, head and neck.  Pupils may be dilated. The tongue can be pulled out of the mouth with ease. In poultry it is common to see an abnormal posture of the head, closed eyes, and wings stretched out with the legs tucked underneath their body.

Eventually paralysis of the thoracic muscles results in labored breathing.  Death comes from respiratory paralysis.