If the unprotected mice die and the protected mice survive, a diagnosis is made for botulism. The mice assay is not perfect as many times cattle which die from botulism have such low levels of toxin in their blood or tissues that they can not be detected. As a result, new tests are being developed which will detect lower amounts and do not require mice. Culture of the bacteria is difficult and results must be interpreted with care. Keep in mind that the botulism bacteria can often be cultured from the gut of cattle without any signs of disease.
Treatment is only supportive with fluids, nutritional supplementation and good nursing care.
Antibiotics are of little value as the disease is cause by the preformed toxin and not the bacteria. Antitoxin is available but is very expensive and only stops the progression of the clinical disease. Control of botulism is mainly good husbandry practices to include rodent control, proper disposal of animal carcasses, avoidance of feeding spoiled or contaminated feedstuffs. As botulism occurs so infrequently, there are no commercially available vaccines.