03/09/2026
A kind young man saw this gull struggling during his days work at Cliff Quay. At knocking off time, he picked up this gull and brought it to me. It has no movement in its legs and he had noticed that its wing movements had decreased, as the day progressed.
I suspected Botulism, because wild birds like herring gulls can ingest the neurotoxins produced by the bacterium (Clostridium Botulinum AKA Botulism) by feeding on rotting organic matter, drinking stagnant water, or eating maggots containing the toxin. It causes flaccid paralysis, leaving the gull unable to hold up its head, fly, or walk.
Heres a fun fact, Botox is made from a purified, highly diluted form of the same neurotoxin that causes botulism. That's right, what is potentially killing this gull, some people inject into their faces to stop wrinkles!
I wasn't sure that I was correct about the Botulism, so I took the gull to a vet for a second opinion. Whilst there it was given an X Ray to rule out a spinal injury. They then diagnosed Botulism. It is possible to treat an infected gull with supportive care if the infection is caught in time, so I decided to take it home rather than PTS.
With that in mind I have made the gull comfortable with towels supporting its body in an upright position. I have given fresh water via a feeding tube to flush out the toxin. Ideally its needs activated charcoal to bind the remaining toxins in the digestive tract, but I don't have any. I will give more fluids later this evening. It is currently alert and able to deliver a good peck, which is a great sign.
Tomorrow I will seek specialist help, as this gull may benefit from a type-specific botulism antitoxin, that can neutralize the circulating poison. It's still supporting its head, is alert and still has some movement in its wings, so I'm trying to remain positive that its been caught in the early stages. I'm calling this handsome gull, Sid. ❤️🩹
