View mypetMD Content
Home » Dog Conditions
PetMD Seal

Botulism in Dogs

Save to mypetMD
Share | Print
PrintPrint

Treatment

 

Your veterinarian will treat your dog according to how severely or mildly it is affected by the botulinum toxin. If it is a mild reaction, your dog may be temporarily hospitalized and treated with a urinary catheter and intravenous feeding. However, if your dog is severely affected and is having trouble breathing due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles, it will need close monitoring in an intensive care unit. Under these circumstances, your dog will have a stomach tube placed for feeding and will be hooked up to a ventilator to assist its breathing.

 

Regardless of the severity, however, a type C antitoxin will be given to your dog to neutralize the botulinum toxin and prevent further progression.Complete recovery usually takes place over 1 to 3 weeks.

 

Living and Management

 

Prevention of this disease is easier than treatment. Do not allow your dog to eat dead carcasses or spoiled raw meat. If you live in a rural area where this is a possibility, you will need to be on guard, as far as checking your property regularly for the presence of dead animals. In addition, you should always feed your dog food that has been thoroughly cooked.

 

 
View Full Article
Share | Print

Related Articles

Spinal Cord Disease in Dogs
Degenerative myelopathy is the general medical term that refers to the disease of...
READ MORE
Narcolepsy and Cataplexy in Dogs
Narcolepsy and cataplexy are disorders of the nervous system. Narcolepsy occurs when...
READ MORE
Lockjaw in Dogs
Tetanus is an occasional disease in dogs, the result of infection with a bacterium...
READ MORE
  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»

symptom checker

Search dog Articles

 

Follow petMD


Keep your pets healthy and safe with the latest from petMD

Latest In Dog Nutrition

5 Reasons Life Stage Diets Help Improve Pet ...
Balanced and complete nutrition is important for any animal. However, the nutritional...
READ MORE
How Obesity May Shorten Your Pet's Lifespan
Obesity is a nationwide epidemic for our pets. Unfortunately, being obese can shorten...
READ MORE
What Are Lean Proteins and How They Can Help ...
Protein is an important component in your pet's food, but not all proteins are the...
READ MORE
MORE FROM PETMD.COM