Question

You go to a ranch to evaluate the sudden death of a bull. There is black, bloody discharge from all orifices. There is incomplete rigor mortis despite being dead for a day. What is your most likely diagnosis?

Grass staggers
Tetanus
Anthrax
Botulism
Moldy sweet clover toxicity

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for the sudden death of the bull, with black, bloody discharge from all orifices and incomplete rigor mortis despite being dead for a day, would be Gas Gangrene.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely diagnosis for the sudden death of the bull, with black, bloody discharge from all orifices and incomplete rigor mortis despite being dead for a day, would be Gas Gangrene. Gas Gangrene is caused by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium perfringens, which can readily germinate in ischemic tissues and colonize the anaerobic tissues. It is characterized by rapidly spreading myonecrosis, edema, pockets of gas in tissues, septic shock, and death.