Changes

Affected muscle is black, dry and infiltrated with small bubbles and often has a rancid smell. The lesions can be present in any muscle including the tongue or diaphragm. Often in sheep, lesions are deep and quite small. Suspected cases can be confirmed using demonstration of ''C. chauvoei'' in affected muscle using the fluorescent antibody test on smears produced from the primary lesion.

Affected muscle is black, dry and infiltrated with small bubbles and often has a rancid smell. The lesions can be present in any muscle including the tongue or diaphragm. Often in sheep, lesions are deep and quite small. Suspected cases can be confirmed using demonstration of ''C. chauvoei'' in affected muscle using the fluorescent antibody test on smears produced from the primary lesion.

In the early stages the periphery of the muscle appears dark red and is distended by serous or serosanguinous exudate. The center of the lesion is full of gas bubbles, porous, dry and reddish black.  

In the early stages the periphery of the muscle appears dark red and is distended by serous or serosanguinous exudate. The center of the lesion is porous, dry, reddish black in colour and full of gas bubbles.  

Additionally gram positive bacteria may be found in clumps.

Additionally gram positive bacteria may be found in clumps.