Type C botulism in dogs from rural properties located in Goiânia, Brazil

• Published in: Arquivos do Instituto Biológico (São Paulo) Vol. 89; p. 1
• Main Authors: Rosa, Isabella Cristina Castro Rodrigues, Silva, Daiane dos Santos e, Leopoldino, Ana Gabriela Rodrigues, Athayde, Flávia Regina Florencio de, Botelho, Ana Flávia Machado, Dutra, Iveraldo dos Santos, Borsanelli, Ana Carolina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sao Paulo Instituto Biologico 2022
• Subjects: Animals; Antitoxins; Botulinum toxin; Botulinum toxin type C; Botulism; Carcasses; Cattle; Dogs; Eyelid; Fatalities; Fecal microflora; Food contamination; Gene sequencing; Ingestion; Intoxication; Muscles; Neurotoxins; Paralysis; Reflexes; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Rural areas; Signs and symptoms; Toxins; Brazil
• ISSN: 0020-3653; 1808-1657
• DOI: 10.1590/1808-1657000152021

Botulism is a disease usually fatal, caused by the ingestion of neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. In dogs, intoxication is caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin type C, and animals often recover spontaneously. The present study describes the occurrence of type C botulism in two dogs domiciled on neighboring rural properties in the municipality of Goiânia, state of Goiás, Brazil, probably associated with ingestion of decomposing bovine carcass. Upon clinical evaluation, the dogs were alert in the lateral decubitus position with ascending flaccid paralysis, absence of eyelid reflexes, and reduced muscle tone. Due to their worsening clinical symptoms, the animals died within 12 h and 3 days after supportive treatment. Botulinum toxin type C was identified, in the serum and feces of both dogs, by seroneutralization in mice with homologous monovalent antitoxin. The results of the high-throughput gene sequencing showed that the abundance of C. botulinum in the fecal microbiota of one of the affected dogs was low (0.53%). In this way, the present study highlights the need of sanitary practices related to the appropriate collection and disposal of bovine carcasses in rural areas since they represent a risk factor for the occurrence of botulism in dogs domiciled on rural properties.