Investigation of Botulism Cases in a Cattle Herd in Bolu Province

In this report, we aimed to determine the clinical, hematological and biochemical changes in Botulismus cases that were detected in a cowherd in Bolu. For this purpose, the material of the study consisted of the 10 surviving cattle after the outbreak of Botulismus and clinical, hematological and biochemical examinations of these cattle were performed. From the anamnesis, it was stated that the first symptoms occurred after 3 days in the cattle grazing on the grounds contaminated with poultry manure and carrion due to insufficient pastureland conditions. Pendant walking, muscle tremor, protruding tongue, paralysis of the tail, lying costo-sternally and paralysis in the front and hind legs were observed as clinical symptoms. All parameters were detected to be within reference values in hematological examination. In biochemical examination, serum cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values were found to be high while copper (Cu), iron (Fe), phosphor (P), mangan (Mn) and selenium (Se) were detected to be lower than the reference values. It was observed that hematological parameters did not change in the cattle diagnosed with Botulismus clinically. To be protected from and control Botulismus, we were of the opinion that the precautions like prevention and elimination of the source of toxin, pasture improvement, mineral supplement, proper disposal of the cadavers and vaccination should be taken.