Abstract
The objective of this work was to quantify the economic losses caused by a botulism outbreak among
beef cattle in a semi-containment regime. The animals were fed corn silage and commercial feed and had
access to a pasture of Guinea grass (
Panicum maximum
). Of the 150 steers in the herd, 22 (14.6% morbidity
rate) presented clinical signs compatible with botulism and died (100% lethality rate). The 22 steers
were clinically evaluated and eight were necropsied. The carcasses were evaluated macroscopically, and
samples of the main organs were collected for laboratory testing. Ruminal and intestinal contents, and
samples of the silage and animal feed provided were also collected. Botulinum toxin type C was identified
in the ruminal contents of one steer and in the corn silage. Herein, the epidemiology, clinical signs, and
laboratory findings regarding botulinum intoxication are emphasized for this outbreak. Our findings show
the importance of keeping the silage well preserved because this represented a means of neurotoxin
transmission that generated economic damage to the producer.
