The Texas Animal Health Commission has confirmed the first case of anthrax in Texas for 2012. The bacterial disease has been detected in an adult white-tailed male deer near the city of Uvalde in Uvalde County. At this time no domestic livestock are involved.
The case is of concern to horse owners because anthrax is an acute, rapidly-developing, fever-producing, infectious disease that can affect equines.
Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a naturally-occurring organism with worldwide distribution, including Texas. It is not uncommon for anthrax to be diagnosed in livestock or wildlife in the Southwest part of the state. In recent years, cases have been primarily confined to a triangular area bordering the towns of Uvalde, Ozona and Eagle Pass in South Texas.
Anthrax, a bacterial disease that affects horses
Anthrax is known as "the quick killer" and may take a pulmonary or gastrointestinal form in horses.
“The TAHC will continue to closely monitor the situation for possible new cases across the state. Animal owners are encouraged to consult with their veterinary practitioner or local TAHC office about the disease,” Dr. Dee Ellis, TAHC state veterinarian, said.
In horses, anthrax may take either a pulmonary form with fever, muscle pain, respiratory distress, sweating, and shock-like symptoms, or it may take a gastrointestinal form with fever, colic, and bloody diarrhea. Common symptoms include septicemia, enteritis, and colic. Stricken animals may die within one to three days. Failure to achieve rigor mortis after death is common.
Characterized by a high fever, anthrax progresses rapidly. In addition to a high fever, horses are obviously sick and often have ventral edema. If the horse dies, the carcass will likely have dark blood oozing from the mouth, nostrils, and anus. .
Because anthrax is known as "the quick killer," diagnosis may be based on the clinical signs, but it is routine to confirm the presence of Bacillus anthracis from a blood sample or culture sent to a laboratory.
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