Often a seemingly healthy animal dies without showing any sign of the disease. In the most acute form, an animal will suddenly stagger, have convulsions, and die. There may be blood-stained discharges from the natural openings of the body. Other symptoms are excitement, spasms, respiratory or cardiac distress, trembling, staggering, and convulsions. Death may occur suddenly or the disease may last from 3 to 5 days or longer.
Anthrax occurs where the environment is suitable to perpetuate the organism.
Areas of intensive soil cultivation, where rain is steady the year around, cold areas, and very dry areas do not have anthrax. The Bacillus anthracis has become established in the soil by old or new outbreaks. The soil is alkaline. Minimum temperatures of 60 degrees F. and above are high enough for spores to grow. Grass or vegetations is damaged by a flood-drouth sequence.