Botulism is a potentially fatal neuromuscular disease in horses caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin, causing progressive paralysis with significant welfare implications requiring intensive care.
Botulism causes progressive neuromuscular paralysis that creates profound welfare compromise as horses lose the ability to stand, eat, drink, and breathe normally. Recumbent horses experience muscle pain from lying in unnatural positions, pressure sores, and the distress of inability to rise. Intensive nursing including regular turning, deep bedding, assisted eating and drinking, and urinary catheterisation is essential to prevent complications and maintain welfare during what can be weeks of intensive care. Early antitoxin administration before toxin fully binds provides the best prognosis and reduces the duration of welfare compromise.