Botulism in four captive lion cubs; clinical manifestations and an environmental survey

Acute quadriparesis is described in four lion cubs (Panthera leo) with lower motor neuron paralysis and diminished spinal reflexes that progressed over the first 72 hrs. All lions gradually recovered and were back to normal by the end of four weeks. All lion cubs had eaten the same dead pony that had died 24 hrs earlier. Fecal samples of all four lions were positive for Clostridium botulinum type C. C. botulinum type C was also isolated from soil samples around the carcass but not from other sites in the lions' feeding area. Serology for C. botulinum was negative. Based on the typical clinical presentation, the laboratory results and the environmental samples, a diagnosis of botulism intoxication was made .This is to the best of our knowledge, only reported once in the veterinary literature.