Anthrax in Cattle

Question 1

what are 3 characteristics of anthrax clinical signs?

Answer 1

blood from every orifice, lack of rigor mortis, rapid bloating, and dark blood that does not clot.

Question 2

should you do a necropsy on a suspected anthrax case?

Answer 2

NO do not open the carcass

Question 3

besides acute death, what clinical signs may be seen before death when an animal has anthrax?

Answer 3

staggering, convulsions, fever, trouble breathing, depression, etc

Question 4

how can anthrax be diagnosed?

Answer 4

make sure to contact the diagnostics lab before you send either tissue or blood

Question 5

how is anthrax prevented?

Answer 5

vaccination

Question 6

when anthrax spreads to humans it can present in 3 ways which are:

Answer 6

cutaneous (via break in skin): papules, vesicles, rupture and ulceration, formation of black eschar, not likely to become systemic

GI (rare, via eating meat): sore throat/ulcerations, neck swelling, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, CAN become systemic

inhalational (via breathing): nearly 100% fatal, flu like symptoms followed by bacteremia and shock, death in a few days.

Question 7

humans with anthrax can be treated with

Answer 7

ciprofloxacin first choice

doxy or penicillin too

treatment for at least 60 days