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===Description===

===Description===

Anthrax is a serious, often fatal zoonotic disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the spore-forming bacterium [[Bacillus anthracis]]. There are three main forms of the disease; gastrointestinal, pulmonary or cutaneous.

Anthrax is a serious, often fatal zoonotic disease of wild and domestic mammals caused by the spore-forming bacterium [[Bacillus anthracis]]. The disease occurs worldwide and often in outbreaks. ''B. anthracis'' spores are highly resistant and can survive in the environment for many years. In herbivores, the disease commonly presents as a peracute onset septicaemia with a high mortality rate. In dogs, humans, horses and pigs the onset is less acute.

There are three main forms of the disease; gastrointestinal, pulmonary or cutaneous.

===Clinical signs====

===Clinical signs====

====Cattle/sheep====

====Ruminants and horses====

   

   

***Fatal peracute septicaemia

* Fatal peracute septicaemia

***Animals usually found dead

* Sudden death

***Pyrexia, depression, congested mucous membranes and petechiae before death

* Acute onset pyrexia

* Depression

* Neurological signs such as staggering or trembling

 

In addition to the above signs, subcutaneous oedematous swellings may be observed in horses.

 

congested mucous membranes and petechiae before death

***Abortion, subcutaneous oedema and dysentry in animals surviving more that one day

***Abortion, subcutaneous oedema and dysentry in animals surviving more that one day

===Pigs===

===Pigs===

***Subacute anthrax with oedematous swelling of throat, head and regional lymph nodes

Pigs are relatively resistant to anthrax and the disease often has a more chronic course affecting the oropharyngeal region.  The disease often begins as an oedematous cellulitis of the the neck, head and regional lymph nodes. This may cause death by asphyxia.

 

***Intestinal form with high mortality - dysentry due to haemorrhagic enteric lesions

***Intestinal form with high mortality - dysentry due to haemorrhagic enteric lesions

***[[Peritonitis#In pigs|Peritonitis]]

***[[Peritonitis#In pigs|Peritonitis]]