lakeesha Hennessy Williams answered
Malignant edema is a disease related to bacterial infection of a wound.
The bacteria that causes this disease usually belongs to the Clostridium family.
The condition is very fast-acting, and is often fatal.
It is most common in 'grazing animals' like cow, sheep, pigs, deer etc - although a human form of the disease is also recognized.
What is Malignant Edema?
Edema, in humans, is a term most often used to describe an increase of fluid under the skin that causes swelling.
In Britain the term is spelled 'Oedema'.
Although 'malignant edema' might sound similar, it is a term generally used to describe a condition in animals where the blood-stream has been infected by bacteria or toxins.
Toxemia and Bacteremia are another two medical words used to describe this condition.
How can you tell if you (or your animal) is infected with Malignant Edema? The only sure-fire way to tell would be to undergo a blood test.
The cause of the infection is a bacteria that lives in soil and feces, and when it comes into contact with an open wound or cut, it rapidly infects the bloodstream.
Signs develop within a few hours of infection include:
If you suspect that malignant edema might be present, I'd recommend contacting an emergency medical service at once!
The bacteria that causes this disease usually belongs to the Clostridium family.
The condition is very fast-acting, and is often fatal.
It is most common in 'grazing animals' like cow, sheep, pigs, deer etc - although a human form of the disease is also recognized.
What is Malignant Edema?
Edema, in humans, is a term most often used to describe an increase of fluid under the skin that causes swelling.
In Britain the term is spelled 'Oedema'.
Although 'malignant edema' might sound similar, it is a term generally used to describe a condition in animals where the blood-stream has been infected by bacteria or toxins.
Toxemia and Bacteremia are another two medical words used to describe this condition.
How can you tell if you (or your animal) is infected with Malignant Edema? The only sure-fire way to tell would be to undergo a blood test.
The cause of the infection is a bacteria that lives in soil and feces, and when it comes into contact with an open wound or cut, it rapidly infects the bloodstream.
Signs develop within a few hours of infection include:
- High fever
- Anorexia
- Intoxication
- Black/brown lesions and swellings form on the skin and spread very quickly
If you suspect that malignant edema might be present, I'd recommend contacting an emergency medical service at once!
