Botulism in Dogs
How to protect your furry friend
Botulism is a rare but serious disease caused by a bacterial toxin. It can lead to paralysis of vital organs and, in severe cases, can be fatal if left untreated. It's important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your dog from this dangerous condition.
In most cases, botulism is caused by consuming contaminated raw meat, improperly canned food, or carrion (the remains of dead animals).1-4 The toxin produced by the bacteria responsible for botulism enters the bloodstream through the intestine and is then transported throughout the body, where it binds to nerve cells.5
Dogs can be poisoned too by rotting grass, hay, spoiled silage, and liquid manure if they ingest any of it.6,7 In rare cases, deep wound infections may lead to botulism.5,8,9
Clinical signs
The severity of the disease depends on the amount of poison ingested. The first symptom is typically weakness in the hind legs. Other symptoms include:1,5,10,11
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased salivation
- Loss of voice (hoarseness)
- Urinary retention (problems urinating)
- Constipation
- Breathing difficulties
- Changes in heart rate
- Increasing weakness of the limbs
- Decreased to absent reflexes, including muscle tone
- Inability to walk
- Inability to hold up head and neck
- Facial paralysis
- Inability to chew, swallow and gag
- Complete paralysis of the body
If your dog displays symptoms after eating carrion, consuming questionable food from a can, drinking from a puddle near a fertilized field, or rolling in decaying plant material while having an open wound, it is essential to seek veterinary treatment immediately. Without prompt care, these conditions could be fatal for your pet, as paralysis can affect vital organs like the heart. Be sure to communicate your observations to your veterinarian to assist in the diagnosis.
Precautionary Measures:
- Avoid taking your dog to areas where liquid manure is likely to be present, including roads used by liquid manure trucks.
- Do not allow your dog to drink from puddles near fertilized fields or areas where there are dead animals.
- Ensure your dog does not ingest any carrion; a muzzle may be necessary if you are concerned.
- Dispose of any bulging or bloated dog food cans immediately.
- Only offer your dog fresh raw meat if you are following a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet.
Botulism treatment can be quite challenging. Therefore, it’s essential to educate yourself about this disease so that you can quickly recognize its potential signs. Additionally, take proactive measures to prevent any situations that could put your dog at risk.
While botulism is dangerous, it rarely occurs in dogs.⁸ However, exercise extreme caution to protect your furry friend from this potential illness.
Source
2. CDC. About Botulism. Botulism. 2024 May 16 [accessed 2025 Mar 17]. https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/about/index.html
3. botulism. 2025 Mar 12 [accessed 2025 Mar 17]. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/botulism
4. DocCheck M bei. Botulismus (Hund). DocCheck Flexikon. [accessed 2025 Mar 17]. https://flexikon.doccheck.com/de/Botulismus_(Hund)
5. What is Botulism in Dogs and What Should I Look Out For? | Southeast Veterinary Neurology. [accessed 2025 Mar 18]. https://sevneurology.com/blog/botulism-in-dogs
6. (PDF) Detection of Clostridium botulinum in liquid manure and biogas plant wastes. ResearchGate. 2024 Oct 22 [accessed 2025 Mar 17]. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273386335_Detection_of_Clostridium_botulinum_in_liquid_manure_and_biogas_plant_wastes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-015-0381-3
7. Botulism in Animals - Infectious Diseases. MSD Veterinary Manual. [accessed 2025 Mar 17]. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/infectious-diseases/clostridial-diseases/botulism-in-animals
8. Botulism In Dogs - Causes, Treatment And Associated Conditions - Vetster. Vetster Online Vets. 2023 Jan 9 [accessed 2025 Mar 18]. https://vetster.com/en/conditions/dog/botulism
9. Clinitox Giftsubstanzen: Vergiftungen Kleintier - Botulismus. [accessed 2025 Mar 18]. https://www.vetpharm.uzh.ch/clinitox/toxdb/klt_036.htm
10. Botulism in Dogs. [accessed 2025 Mar 18]. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_botulism
11. Dorner MB, Dettmann P, Worbs S, Dorner BG. Botulismus bei Mensch und Tier.