Sudden Infection

5.3.3 Sudden Infection Livestock with acute, severe diseases such as anthrax, hemorrhagic septicemia, or Clostridia can have symptoms that resemble poisoning. Usually these diseases also cause a fever. In this situation, the best treatment is penicillin or tetracycline. If the animal has black blood from the anus or mouth/nostrils, assume it has anthrax and be very careful to avoid exposing yourself or others. If the animal dies of anthrax, do not cut it open since this will contaminate the ground with anthrax spores. See page 196.

In a case of sudden illness, always perform a thorough clinical exam to determine which system is affected. Remember that an animal that is suddenly and severely ill may have a deadly organism (such as clostridia, anthrax, or the cause of hemorrhagic septicemia) in its blood spreading throughout the body. This is called "septicemia." If an organism produces a poison that circulates in the blood, it is called "toxemia."