Sources indicate three cattle have already been put down on the farm in the last 24 hours. There are fears that more could follow in the next few days.Botulism is caused by toxins produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria. Affected cattle will usually present with signs of progressive flaccid paralysis, which develops over time. Veterinary advice is often to euthanise the animal to prevent further suffering.
Sources indicate three cattle have already been put down on the farm in the last 24 hours. There are fears that more could follow in the next few days.
Botulism is caused by toxins produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria. Affected cattle will usually present with signs of progressive flaccid paralysis, which develops over time. Veterinary advice is often to euthanise the animal to prevent further suffering.
It will be a few days before the outbreak in Meath is confirmed, although all the evidence points to it being botulism related. Local reports suggest that poultry litter spread on a nearby farm could have contributed to the outbreak.
Botulism is not a notifiable disease in Ireland, but cases should be reported your local DVO or Regional Veterinary Laboratory so the incidence of the disease is monitored. There is no vaccine licensed for use.
Northern Ireland
The situation in Northern Ireland, which has a large poultry flock, is slightly different. Multiple cases of botulism have been reported north of the Irish border in recent years, and vaccines are available for use under “special treatment certification”. Many cattle farmers, particularly in the mid-Ulster area where there is a large concentration of poultry flocks, routinely vaccinate their cattle every year.
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