FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Outcome of adult horses with botulism treated at a veterinar...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2014; 29(1); 311-319; doi: 10.1111/jvim.12502

Outcome of adult horses with botulism treated at a veterinary hospital: 92 cases (1989-2013).

Abstract: There are no studies evaluating a large population of adult horses treated for botulism. Reported survival rates in outbreak situations are low; however, many horses in outbreaks do not receive treatment. Objective: That adult horses treated at a veterinary hospital would have improved survival compared to outbreak situations. Additional aims included identification of predictors of nonsurvival. Methods: All horses greater than 6 months of age with a final diagnosis of botulism admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital between 1989 and 2013 were included. Methods: Retrospective study. Historical, admission, and hospitalization data were retrieved from medical records and associations between variables and nonsurvival were identified using logistic regression. Two multivariable models were developed pertaining to (1) information available at admission and (2) clinical findings during hospitalization. Results: Ninety-two records met inclusion criteria. Retained variables for the two models indicated that higher rectal temperature (OR, 1.94; CI, 1.19-3.17) and dysphagia (OR, 4.04; CI, 1.01-16.17) observed at admission increased the odds of survival, as did treatment with antitoxin (OR, 121.30; CI, 9.94-1,480.65). Horses with abnormal respiratory effort or inability to stand had decreased odds of survival. Overall survival was 48% but was significantly higher (67%, P = .011) for horses that arrived standing, and even higher (95%, P < .001) for horses that remained able to stand throughout hospitalization. Complications occurred in 62% of horses but were not associated with nonsurvival. Conclusions: Horses that lose the ability to stand have a poor chance of survival. Complications are common in treated horses but do not reduce survival.
Copyright © 2014 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2014-11-19 PubMed ID: 25408202PubMed Central: PMC4858097DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12502Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study examines the treatment outcomes of adult horses with botulism in a veterinary hospital, and identifies predictors of non-survival. The research found horses that could stand on arrival and throughout hospitalization had higher survival rates, with complications being common but not reducing survival.

Objective & Methodology

  • The study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes of adult horses with botulism in a veterinary hospital, and identify factors that predict survival odds. This is done in the light of limited large-scale studies on the treatment of botulism in adult horses and low survival rates reported in outbreak situations.
  • All horses more than 6 months old, diagnosed with botulism and treated at a veterinary teaching hospital from 1989 to 2013 were included in the study.
  • A retrospective study design was used, with data pertaining to the horse’s history, admission, and hospitalization retrieved from medical records.
  • Different variables were analyzed and their associations with non-survival were identified using logistic regression.
  • Two models were developed – one based on information available at admission and another based on clinical findings during hospitalization.

Results

  • A total of 92 records met the inclusion criteria for the study.
  • The study identified that a higher rectal temperature and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) at the time of admission improved the survival odds. Horses treated with antitoxin had considerably higher odds of survival.
  • Conversely, horses that exhibited abnormal respiratory effort or inability to stand had decreased odds of survival.
  • Overall, 48% of the horses survived, but the survival rate was significantly higher (67%) for horses that could stand at the time of arrival, and even higher (95%) for horses that could continue to stand throughout their hospital stay.
  • Complications were observed in 62% of horses, but surprisingly, these complications did not reduce survival odds.

Conclusions

  • The ability to stand emerges as a critical survival factor for horses treated for botulism. Horses that lose this ability bear a poor chance of survival.
  • While complications are common in treated horses, they do not seem to have a detrimental effect on survival, contrary to common assumptions.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Aceto H. (2014). Outcome of adult horses with botulism treated at a veterinary hospital: 92 cases (1989-2013). J Vet Intern Med, 29(1), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.12502

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 311-319

Researcher Affiliations

Johnson, A L
  • Botulism Reference Laboratory, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA; Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA.
McAdams-Gallagher, S C
    Aceto, H

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Body Temperature
      • Botulism / mortality
      • Botulism / pathology
      • Botulism / therapy
      • Botulism / veterinary
      • Deglutition Disorders / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / mortality
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horse Diseases / therapy
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Odds Ratio
      • Retrospective Studies
      • Risk Factors
      • Survival Analysis

      References

      This article includes 14 references
      1. Whitlock RH, McAdams S. Equine botulism. Clin Tech Equine Pract 2006;5:37–42.
      2. Haagsma J, Haesebrouck F, Devriese L, Bertels G. An outbreak of botulism type B in horses.. Vet Rec 1990 Aug 25;127(8):206.
        pubmed: 2238423
      3. Ricketts SW, Greet TR, Glyn PJ, Ginnett CD, McAllister EP, McCaig J, Skinner PH, Webbon PM, Frape DL, Smith GR. Thirteen cases of botulism in horses fed big bale silage.. Equine Vet J 1984 Nov;16(6):515-8.
        pubmed: 6394315doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb02004.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      4. Schoenbaum MA, Hall SM, Glock RD, Grant K, Jenny AL, Schiefer TJ, Sciglibaglio P, Whitlock RH. An outbreak of type C botulism in 12 horses and a mule.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000 Aug 1;217(3):365-8, 340.
        pubmed: 10935041doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.365google scholar: lookup
      5. Kinde H, Bettey RL, Ardans A, Galey FD, Daft BM, Walker RL, Eklund MW, Byrd JW. Clostridium botulinum type-C intoxication associated with consumption of processed alfalfa hay cubes in horses.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991 Sep 15;199(6):742-6.
        pubmed: 1955364
      6. Johnson AL, McAdams SC, Whitlock RH. Type A botulism in horses in the United States: a review of the past ten years (1998-2008).. J Vet Diagn Invest 2010 Mar;22(2):165-73.
        pubmed: 20224073doi: 10.1177/104063871002200201google scholar: lookup
      7. Wilkins PA, Palmer JE. Botulism in foals less than 6 months of age: 30 cases (1989-2002).. J Vet Intern Med 2003 Sep-Oct;17(5):702-7.
        pubmed: 14529138doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02503.xgoogle scholar: lookup
      8. Wilkins PA, Palmer JE. Mechanical ventilation in foals with botulism: 9 cases (1989-2002).. J Vet Intern Med 2003 Sep-Oct;17(5):708-12.
        pubmed: 14529139
      9. . Botulism Annual Summary, 2011. 2013.
      10. Hosmer DW, Lemeshow S. Applied Logistic Regression. 2nd ed New York: J. Wiley and Sons Inc; 2000:91–186.
      11. Dohoo I, Martin W, Stryhn H. Veterinary Epidemiologic Research. 2nd ed Prince Edward Island: VER Inc; 2009:410–421.
      12. Johnson AL, Sweeney RW, McAdams SC, Whitlock RH. Quantitative real-time PCR for detection of the neurotoxin gene of Clostridium botulinum type B in equine and bovine samples.. Vet J 2012 Oct;194(1):118-20.
        pubmed: 22537645doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.03.018google scholar: lookup
      13. Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Sweeney RW. Quantitative real-time PCR for detection of neurotoxin genes of Clostridium botulinum types A, B and C in equine samples.. Vet J 2014 Jan;199(1):157-61.
        pubmed: 24252222doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.023google scholar: lookup
      14. Horowitz BZ. Botulinum toxin.. Crit Care Clin 2005 Oct;21(4):825-39, viii.
        pubmed: 16168317doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2005.06.008google scholar: lookup

      Citations

      This article has been cited 10 times.
      1. Meurens F, Carlin F, Federighi M, Filippitzi ME, Fournier M, Fravalo P, Ganière JP, Grisot L, Guillier L, Hilaire D, Kooh P, Le Bouquin-Leneveu S, Le Maréchal C, Mazuet C, Morvan H, Petit K, Vaillancourt JP, Woudstra C. Clostridium botulinum type C, D, C/D, and D/C: An update. Front Microbiol 2022;13:1099184.
        doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1099184pubmed: 36687640google scholar: lookup
      2. Brunt J, van Vliet AHM, Carter AT, Stringer SC, Amar C, Grant KA, Godbole G, Peck MW. Diversity of the Genomes and Neurotoxins of Strains of Clostridium botulinum Group I and Clostridium sporogenes Associated with Foodborne, Infant and Wound Botulism. Toxins (Basel) 2020 Sep 11;12(9).
        doi: 10.3390/toxins12090586pubmed: 32932818google scholar: lookup
      3. Bischoff K, Moiseff J. Equine feed contamination and toxicology. Transl Anim Sci 2018 Feb;2(1):111-118.
        doi: 10.1093/tas/txy001pubmed: 32704694google scholar: lookup
      4. Wright S. Highlights of recent clinically relevant papers. Equine Vet Educ 2015 Apr;27(4):167-168.
        doi: 10.1111/eve.12362pubmed: 32313391google scholar: lookup
      5. Rasetti-Escargueil C, Lemichez E, Popoff MR. Public Health Risk Associated with Botulism as Foodborne Zoonoses. Toxins (Basel) 2019 Dec 30;12(1).
        doi: 10.3390/toxins12010017pubmed: 31905908google scholar: lookup
      6. Trumpp KM, Parsley AL, Lewis MJ, Camp JW Jr, Taylor SD. Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Jul;33(4):1784-1788.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.15540pubmed: 31161701google scholar: lookup
      7. Husulak ML, Lohmann KL, Gabadage K, Wojnarowicz C, Marqués FJ. Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan. Can Vet J 2016 Jul;57(7):771-6.
        pubmed: 27429468
      8. Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Aceto H. Accuracy of a Mouse Bioassay for the Diagnosis of Botulism in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1293-9.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.13950pubmed: 27108763google scholar: lookup
      9. Prutton JS, Magdesian KG, Plummer A, Williams DC, Aleman M. Survival of a Foal with Type A Botulism. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):675-8.
        doi: 10.1111/jvim.13840pubmed: 26892949google scholar: lookup
      10. Slavik K, Whitlock R, Johnson A. Equine botulism. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):333-347.
        doi: 10.1111/evj.14542pubmed: 40518698google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.