Abstract :
An outbreak of botulism was detected in goats in the semiarid region of Brazil. In a flock of
460 goats, 38 does were affected and 37 died. Kids and younger goats were not affected. The
main clinical signs were flaccid tetraparesis leading to tetraplegia that was often accompanied
by twisted neck, tongue paralysis, and muscle tremors. At the time of the visit, 4 out
of 11 affected goats were recumbent. Ambulatory goats had uncoordinated and swaying
gaits with hypometria and weakness, mainly of the hind limbs. Two recumbent and four
ambulatory goats showed twisted neck. Two recumbent goats were euthanized and necropsied.
Non-significant gross and histologic lesions were observed. Samples of the liver, gut
and rumen content were collected from the two goats and examined for botulinum toxins
using the mouse serum neutralization test. The three samples from one goat were positive
for type C toxin. Marked osteophagia was observed when the goats had access to bones
in the pasture, and the farmer mentioned that osteophagia was common among goats of
the flock. A sample of the plant Hybantus ipecaconha, the most abundant forage available
for the goats, contained 2800 mg/kg of Ca and 450 mg/kg of P. One soil sample contained
58.12 mg/kg of Ca and 2.02 mg/kg of P. It was concluded that in this outbreak, botulism was
associated with osteophagia probably due to phosphorus deficiency.
