ASK THE VET Looking at botulism
WHAT IS BOTULISM?
Botulism is a preventable disease, like many other livestock diseases, that should ideally never catch us off-guard. Also known as “lamsiekte”, it is a highly fatal paralytic disease of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, donkeys and, sometimes, pigs. Botulism is caused by animals ingesting a toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are commonly found in decomposing carcasses and sometimes even plant material. Botulism has also been reported in humans where it is mainly associated with the consumption of improperly preserved food.
