Dog Has Anthrax

Dog Has Anthrax

Anthrax is a rare disease in dogs but is worldwide in incidence. It is usually contracted by ingesting remains from the carcass of a dog that has died of the disease. Penicillin and other antibiotics are effective in treating an infected dog but since man is also susceptible care should be exercised in handling the dog.

Though your canine pet is less likely to get affected if at all it occurs due to lack of medical supervision the disease might turn out to be quite fatal for the dog. The disease generally gets transmitted orally and as a result of which stray dogs and sniff dogs that are exposed to objects containing germs and bacteria mainly suffer from the disease. Anthrax may attack any warm-blooded animal including human beings. So, if you find your dog to be suffering from the disease make sure of offering him proper medication so that it can get rid of the disease very easily.

Dog Has Anthrax Information

• Anthrax occurs due to bacteria named Bacillus anthracis. It is a gram-positive, nonmotile, and spore-forming bacteria.
• The bacterium is extremely resistant as it is of spore-forming type. Though many bacteria cells get destroyed under the subjection of atmosphere extremities the bacteria causing anthrax is quite resistant to heating, cooling, dehydration, chemical disinfection, and such.
• When the anthrax bacteria infect an animal the bacterial spores multiply and spread throughout the body. They release toxins that damage cells and break tissues.
• They further cause malignant systemic ulcers leading to inflammation and damage to the entire organ systems of the body.
• The bacteria spread themselves through the blood or the body’s lymphatic system. If by any chance the bacteria happen to access the CNS or the central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord meningitis occurs.
• Inhalation of the anthrax bacteria affects the lungs and causes pneumonia. If the bacteria enter through wounds or any opening of the skin cutaneous anthrax or ulcerations occurs. If the spores are directly consumed through contaminated food the pet may suffer from gastrointestinal.
• The outbreaks of anthrax infections mainly occur during the warm season and especially after heavy rainfall.
• The bacterial spores are mainly available in the soil of the regions where livestock or cattle is raised.

The infection spreads when your dog feeds on the meat of the infected animal. The disease may also get transmitted if your pet comes in contact with the body fluid of the animal. The symptoms that an infected dog would be showing up with are almost similar to that of any form of chronic illness. The dog would be seen suffering from very high fever, loss of appetite, depression, chilling sensation, restlessness, and such. At a very advanced stage of the disease, the dog would be experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms quite rapidly. The dog would also suffer from occasional muscle seizures and weakness and ultimately death if the animal is not taken under medical supervision.

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