LIVESTOCK BIOSECURITY NETWORK Botulism June 2015 Dr Sarah-Jane Wilson Regional Manager Northern Australia

Botulism Clostridial bacteria Can form spores which are environmentally stable in many conditions Produces a neurotoxin (affects nerves) Cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, horses, goats, poultry and humans can all be affected Preventable, but difficult (and very unproductive) to treat Predisposition to bone/carrion chewing can increase risk of disease occurrence in unvaccinated livestock (Northern Aus).

Clinical signs Sudden death Ascending flaccid paralysis Drooling Trouble swallowing Often lie with head turned to flank

Vaccination protocols for botulism Sheep and cattle: Traditional protocol: 2 doses (4-6 weeks apart) Yearly booster Cattle only alternative options: Single initial dose 1-3 yearly booster depending on product

Other preventative measures Keep aggregation areas and watering points free from bones and carcases Protein and phosphorus supplementations may help reduce predisposition to bone chewing Provide good quality silage/hay free from contaminants (Fodder vendor declarations)

Questions??? Sarah-Jane Wilson –

Other resources on vaccinations vaccineshttp:// vaccines FutureBeef – for-beef-cattle/ for-beef-cattle/

Photo credits and references Slide 3: Slide 4: Slide 5 : Slide 6: Fitzpatrick,S. (2006) Botulism Poisoning in Cattle in the Northern Territory, viewed online at Slide 8: Slide 9: Slide 10: Slide 11: Lane et al (2015), Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industries. Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney. Slide 13: Lane et al (2015), Priority list of endemic diseases for the red meat industries. Meat and Livestock Australia, Sydney. Slide 14: Slide 16: Slide 17: