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• Horses With Suspected Botulism
• Districtwide Cost-share Funding, FY 2022–2023
• Executive Order 22-28 (Emergency Management – Freezing Temperatures, Harm to Agriculture)
• Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL) COVID-19 Services Update

Horses With Suspected Botulism

The University of Florida Large Animal Hospital is currently treating a number of horses with suspected botulism. Botulism is an often fatal neuromuscular disease caused by ingestion of botulinum toxin. Sources of botulinum toxin include round bales, alfalfa blocks, soil, and contaminated grains. It can affect all mammals, however, horses are one of the most susceptible species. Clinical signs of botulism include generalized weakness and laying down more than normal, slow eating and/or dysphagia, weak tongue tone, trembling, low head carriage, and in many cases, death. Botulism antitoxin is critically important for the survival of affected horses, and is available through the UF Large Animal Hospital. Additional information for veterinarians is available through AAEP in the Botulism Guidelines. Further information for horse owners and clients can be found on the University of Florida Large Animal Hospital Website; Botulism in Horses and other Mammals. As always, we remain available for consults at (352) 392-2229. Thank you for all you do for our profession and the equine community!

Source:

Joe Walter
Brevard Agricultural Extension 
University of Florida 
3695 Lake Drive
Cocoa, FL 32926
Cell: (407) 948-8810
Office: (321) 633-1702 Ext. 52331 
jwalter@ufl.edu

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