Botulism canine: Review

Abstract

Botulism, described the first time in the nineteenth century, it is the causative agent Clostridium botulinum, bacillus gram positive anaerobic mandatory, endospores maker, found in soil and in many freshwater sediments. It is a neuroparalytic affection being described seven neurotoxins (A to G), the C most commonly found in small animals. In dogs, food is generally contaminated with neurotoxin type C causing blockade of acetylcholine receptors at neuromuscular junction, generally from hours to days after ingestion, causing lower motor neuron paralysis with fast weakness progressing to recumbence. The aim of this study is an update of canine botulism, as primary diagnosis or differential diagnosis in neurological, addressing since its etiology, incidence, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis.