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====Ruminants and horses====
====Ruminants and horses====
The incubation period of the disease is approximately three to seven days. Often animals may be discovered dead in the field before any clinical signs have been observed. In general, in non-immunised ruminants and horses the disease is characterised by sudden death, peracute septicaemia, bleeding from orifices and subcutaneous haemorrhages. Other clinical signs including the following have been described:
* Acute onset severe pyrexia
* Acute onset severe pyrexia
* Depression
* Depression
* Congested mucous membranes and petechiae
* Congested mucous membranes and petechiae
* Shivering and cramp-like clinical signs
* Shivering and cramp-like clinical signs
===Pigs===
===Pigs===
Pigs are relatively resistant to anthrax. The disease in pigs has two manifestations, both pharyngeal and intestinal forms. The pharyngeal disease is linked with scavenging or purposeful feeding of infected carcasses and often begins as an oedematous cellulitis of the the neck, head and regional lymph nodes. This may cause death by asphyxia. The intestinal form is thought to be associated with contaminated mineral supplements, and may produce less obvious clinical signs including diarrhoea, lethargy and anorexia. Animals affected by the intestinal form frequently recover.
Pigs are relatively resistant to anthrax. The disease in pigs has two manifestations; a pharyngeal and an intestinal form. The pharyngeal disease is linked with scavenging or purposeful feeding of infected carcasses and often begins as an oedematous cellulitis of the the neck, head and regional lymph nodes. This may cause death by asphyxia. The intestinal form is thought to be associated with contaminated mineral supplements, and may produce less obvious clinical signs including diarrhoea, lethargy and anorexia. Animals affected by the intestinal form frequently recover.
===Dogs===
===Dogs===
Dogs are rarely affected, but develop a similar disease to that found in pigs. Disease most often occurs due to scavenging of infected carcasses. Clinical signs include severe inflammation and oedema of the pharyngeal region and the disease is usually not fatal.
Dogs are rarely affected, but develop a similar disease to that found in pigs. Disease most often occurs due to scavenging of infected carcasses. Clinical signs include severe inflammation and oedema of the pharyngeal region and the disease is usually not fatal.
===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
In most affected animals (pigs being an exception), large numbers of B. anthracis are found in the blood. A sample from a fresh carcass may be collected from an incision made in a well vascularised area such as the ear. In pigs, a small piece of lymphatic tissue should be collected aseptically and submitted. Diagnostic tests include bacterial culture, PCR and fluorescent antibody stains for demonstration of the bacillus in blood or tissue.
In most affected animals (pigs being an exception), large numbers of B. anthracis are found in the blood. A sample from a fresh carcass may be collected from an incision made in a well vascularised area such as the ear. In pigs, a small piece of lymphatic tissue should be collected aseptically and submitted. Diagnostic tests include bacterial culture, PCR and fluorescent antibody stains for demonstration of the bacillus in blood or tissue.
===Pathology===
===Pathology===
Penicillin and Streptomycin is the treatment of choice in animals suspected to be suffering from Anthrax.
Penicillin and Streptomycin is the treatment of choice in animals suspected to be suffering from Anthrax.
===Control===
===Control===
Animals in endemic areas should be vaccinated on an annual basis with the non-encapsulated Sterne strain vaccine. As the vaccine is live, antibiotics should not be administered within one week of vaccination.
Animals in endemic areas should be vaccinated on an annual basis with the non-encapsulated Sterne strain vaccine. As the vaccine is live, antibiotics should not be administered within one week of vaccination.
===References===
===References===