Changes

===Signs===

===Signs===

In cattle, sheep, goats and horses

In '''cattle, sheep, goats''' and '''horses'''

● One or two sudden deaths in a herd

* One or two sudden deaths in a herd

● Dark bloody discharge from mouth, nostrils and anus (blood can fail to clot)

* Dark bloody discharge from mouth, nostrils and anus (blood can fail to clot)

● Absence of rigor mortis  

* Absence of rigor mortis  

● Bloating

* Bloating

● Other signs – DROP DOWN LIST (Sudden temperature, Depression, Neurological signs such as staggering or trembling, Cyanosis, Difficulty breathing, Decrease in stomach movement, Swellings under the skin, reddened or spotty gums, shivering)

* Other signs – DROP DOWN LIST (Sudden temperature, Depression, Neurological signs such as staggering or trembling, Cyanosis, Difficulty breathing, Decrease in stomach movement, Swellings under the skin, reddened or spotty gums, shivering)

In pigs

 

● Swelling around the head, or neck, which can cause death from not being able to breathe

In '''pigs'''

● An intestinal form is possible, signs are diarrhoea, inappetence and lethargy

* Swelling around the head, or neck, which can cause death from not being able to breathe

In dogs

* An intestinal form is possible, signs are diarrhoea, inappetence and lethargy

● Rarely seen, but can get inflammation around the throat and pharynx

 

In '''dogs'''

* Rarely seen, but can get inflammation around the throat and pharynx

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Usually swollen cutaneous lesions (Link) and can also have digestive or inhalation forms. </font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Usually swollen cutaneous lesions (Link) and can also have digestive or inhalation forms. </font color>

===Diagnosis===

===Diagnosis===

● Anthrax should be suspected in cases of sudden death in animals. Possible anthrax cases should not be cut open or eaten as there is a risk to both animal and human health.

* Anthrax should be suspected in cases of sudden death in animals. Possible anthrax cases should not be cut open or eaten as there is a risk to both animal and human health.

● Blood smear (can be taken from ear vein of a carcass) stained with methylene blue will show large numbers of rod shaped bacteria  (Link)

* Blood smear (can be taken from ear vein of a carcass) stained with methylene blue will show large numbers of rod shaped bacteria  (Link)

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Fluid from cutaneous wounds will show the bacteria in stained smears. Do not cut open, handle, or eat any potentially infected animals.</font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Fluid from cutaneous wounds will show the bacteria in stained smears. Do not cut open, handle, or eat any potentially infected animals.</font color>

===Treatment and prevention===

===Treatment and prevention===

● Penicillin for affected animals. Treat animals at risk and move to uncontaminated pasture

* Penicillin for affected animals. Treat animals at risk and move to uncontaminated pasture

● Vaccination (Do not use antibiotics within one week of vaccine)

* Vaccination (Do not use antibiotics within one week of vaccine)

● Disposal of potential anthrax infected carcases (burning the carcass and disinfecting site)

* Disposal of potential anthrax infected carcases (burning the carcass and disinfecting site)

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Antibiotic treatment for 3-7d if uncomplicated, penicillin is a good first choice (Link)</font color>

<font color="red">'''Humans''' - Antibiotic treatment for 3-7d if uncomplicated, penicillin is a good first choice (Link)</font color>

===Diseases with similar signs===

===Diseases with similar signs===

● Toxin ingestion

* Toxin ingestion

● Bacterial or Clostridial infection

* Bacterial or Clostridial infection

● Bloat

* Bloat

● Traumatic injury

* Traumatic injury

● Acidosis

* Acidosis

● Any condition resulting in Sudden death

* Any condition resulting in Sudden death

===Geotag this disease ===

===Geotag this disease ===