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Humans may be infected via contact with infected animal tissues, exposure to high concentrations of spores or contacted with infected animals.

Humans may be infected via contact with infected animal tissues, exposure to high concentrations of spores or contacted with infected animals.

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.

In general, carbivores are more resistant to disease than herbivores. 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.

===Dogs===

===Dogs===

Dogs are rarely affected, but develop a similar disease to that found in pigs.  

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===

Confirmatory laboratory testing should be performed if anthrax is suspected.   

In most affected animals (pigs being an exception), large numbers of B. anthracis are found in the blood. In pigs, a small piece of lymphatic tissue should be collected aseptically and submitted. Diagnostic tests include bacterial culture, PCR, Confirmatory laboratory testing should be performed if anthrax is suspected.