A paralyzed 

 inner eyelid 

 is one sign of 

 avian botulism. 



HOW CAN BOTULISM POISONING BE RECOGNIZED? 



Avian botulism affects the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis. Depending on how 

 ar the disease has progressed, various levels of paralysis will be observed. An early sign in 

 lirds is the inability to fly. Once the ability to fly is lost and leg muscles become paralyzed, 

 iucks suffering from botulism often propel themselves across the water and mud flats with 

 heir wings. This sequence of signs is in contrast to that of lead-poisoned birds, which have 

 iifficulty flying but remain able to walk and run. 



Paralysis of the inner eyelid and neck muscles follows. These are the two most easily 

 ecognizable signs associated with avian botulism. The inability of the bird to hold its head 

 rect is the reason this disease is called limberneck. Frequently, birds drown once they reach 

 his stage in the disease. Those that do not drown will eventually die from respiratory 

 ailure as paralysis spreads. 



