Clinical Signs | Blackleg

In many clinical cases, no signs are observed because the affected animal is found dead. Living animals usually present with a high temperature, anorexia and depression. When limbs are affected, the characteristic blackleg lesions can be seen in striated muscle. The swelling of the limb in the area of the lesion results from edema. Palpation reveals crepitus and emphysema from gas bubble formation that accompanies multiplication of the bacterium. Sudden death can occur in cases of visceral blackleg in sheep and cattle when the heart is affected.