Common Deer Diseases/ Viruses and Their Management Implications

By Jeremy Meares
Jeremy Meares is a wildlife biologist and hunting lease manager for Westervelt Wildlife Services. He manages over 220,000 acres of industrial timberland in central and west Alabama and is involved in wildlife consulting. Jeremy received both his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Georgia specializing in deer management.

Adult arterial worm (white roundworm) found in the carotid artery of deer. very hunting season we get questions likeWeve seen a deer that looks like hes covered with warts. Whats wrong with him?, or Weve harvested a few deer this season with cracked hooves. Is something wrong with our deer? Both instances refer to diseases that are common to white-tailed deer. Hopefully this article will address these questions and shed some light on the more common deer diseases, causes, and their management implications. The photos and information for this article were derived from the Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases in the Southeastern United States by Davidson and Nettles 1997, Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study. Hemorrhagic Disease Probably the most well-known deer disease (at least until Chronic Wasting Disease came on the scene) is hemorrhagic disease (HD). This disease is caused by
12 M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 0

Swollen and blue tongue often seen in deer with peracute and acute forms of HD. epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) or bluetongue viruses. There are two types of EHD viruses and five types of bluetongue viruses known to occur in the United States. All of which except one type of bluetongue virus has been confirmed in the Southeast by virus isolation or serology. Signs of HD can be highly variable. Deer can show only mild signs of infection, while others will show more textbook signs. Conversely, some deer may not exhibit any sign of infection. Currently this variation is not well understood but could be tied to variation in virus virulence, individual deer resistance, or previous exposure to a given virus influencing the immune system response. When illness does occur, signs will typically change as the disease progresses. Early stages of HD can present fever, respiratory distress, and swelling of the head, neck, or tongue. During outbreaks deer may be found near water during late summer and early fall in an effort to cool their bodies to reduce fever. Some animals may actually die soon after the initial onset of disease, while most will live longer and show some level of lameness and much reduced activity. As HD progresses the disease is categorized into three forms peracute, acute, and chronic. In each of these categories there are different characteristic
V O L U M E 1 0 , I S S UE 3

lesions, or signs of injury/harm to an organ or tissue resulting from trauma or disease. The peracute form shows very rapid onset and severe swelling of the head, neck, tongue, lungs, and the area around the eyelids as a result of increased fluid build up around these tissues. Animals that survive the peracute form will progress to the acute stage. This is more of the classic stage of EHD. Typical lesions associated with this form include swelling in the areas mentioned above and hemorrhages or congestion in the heart, rumen, and intestines. There may also be ulcers, erosion, or necrosis of the dental pad, tongue, palate, rumen, and omasum (a chamber of the stomach). The last form, chronic, is characterized by interruptions in hoof growth or sloughing/cracked hoof walls. It is important to note that this chronic lesion is indicative of a deer that has survived HD and the hoof continues to grow out for a couple of months.This form can also show ulcers, scarring, and loss of papillae on the rumen mucosa (papillae are small finger-like projections inside the rumen). Now that we understand what this disease looks like, how is it transmitted? Epizootic hemorrhagic disease and bluetongue viruses are not spread by contact. Transmission actually occurs through small, biting midges (referred

to in the South as no see ums) that get a blood meal from deer. Typically this disease will occur during late summer and early fall which corresponds with the prevalence of midge populations. Animals with the chronic form can still be found into the winter months. To accurately confirm a deer has died from or has been infected with EHD or bluetongue, virus isolation from sick or freshly dead deer is required. Fresh specimens are crucial to isolate the virus because the virus is killed as the tissue decomposes. While the signs and lesions mentioned above provide a strong field diagnosis, this disease can only be confirmed through virus isolation. Hemorrhagic disease is the most important deer disease endemic to the Southeast. The distribution and severity are highly variable. Infections may only involve a few individuals but can also appear as a visible outbreak. During outbreaks morbidity and mortality rates usually remain lower than 25% (but have been seen as high as 50% or more). Neither of these viruses are infectious to humans. Animals that have been chronically disabled and have any secondary bacterial infections/abscesses may not be suitable for consumption. Cutaneous Fibroma Another common deer disease is cutaneous fibroma. Many hunters refer to these as deer warts. Basically fibromas are hairless tumors caused by a virus and found on the skin of deer. Experimental infections show that fibromas are usually temporary and do not cause any major issues. However, occasionally deer can develop massive tumors interfering with sight, respiration, walking, or feeding. Fibromas can be found on any part of the skin and can range in size from - 8 or more inches in diameter. Typically fibromas are smooth and black to gray in color and can sometimes have a warty appearance. The virus is thought to be transmitted from deer to deer via biting insects and through direct contact with contaminated materials that may scrape or scratch
13

Large stomach worms (dark areas) present in the abomasum (a chamber of the stomach). worms in the abomasums (a chamber of the stomach). Adult worms produce eggs in the abomasum that are passed out through feces. The eggs hatch and become infective larvae in one to two weeks. Deer ingest the infective larvae while feeding on low vegetation. Large stomach worms are common in the coastal plain areas of the Southeast. In areas where deer have exceeded nutritional carrying capacity, large stomach worm can be a contributing factor to malnourished, heavily parasitized deer herds. Heavily affected animals are usually less than one year old and are found from October to March. Ensuring deer herds remain below carrying capacity will reduce prevalence of disease but will not eliminate the parasite. No human health implications have been reported from large stomach worms. Large Lungworm Large lungworm is yet another parasitic nematode common throughout the whitetails range. Most infected deer show no signs of disease. However, deer with high numbers can be underweight, weak, and show severe respiratory distress. High infestations can lead to lungworm pneumonia and malnourishment. Again deer less than one year old seem to be more susceptible to severe infection. Lesions from large lungworms are confined to the respiratory tract. High numbers of worms can block bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs, which clogs airways with mucous and froth. Pneumonia, if present, will appear as firm, dark red or grayish areas in the

Typical case of a deer infected with cutaneous fibromas. become lodged in the capillaries of the skin (especially the head region). These larvae are ingested by horseflies and reach the infective stage in roughly 14 days. At this point, the larvae begin to migrate to the mouthparts of the fly and are transmitted to other deer when the horsefly feeds. Once inside the deer, the larvae move to the arteries of the brain where more development occurs. After three to four weeks, the worms then return to the carotid arteries. Arterial worm infection can occasionally cause mortality in whitetails, and food impaction is seen more so in older deer. There have been no reported human health implications associated with arterial worm infection in deer. Large Stomach Worm The large stomach worm is another nematode parasite of white-tailed deer. Deer can carry low to moderate numbers of this parasite and not show any signs of disease. However, high numbers can cause deer to be under weight, weak, and anemic. Deer carrying high numbers are usually malnourished, infected with large numbers of other parasites, and less than one year old. Lesions from the large stomach worm are nondescript but can include pale mucous membranes, thin watery blood, emaciation, and a high number of

the skin. Cattle, sheep, horses, and rabbits are not susceptible to this particular virus. There have been no reports of human infection; however large tumors with secondary bacterial infection would cause the meat to be unsuitable for consumption. Arterial Worm The arterial worm is a naturallyoccurring nematode (round worm) in mule deer, elk, white-tailed deer, and domestic sheep in areas where this parasite is common. The most common sign of an arterial worm infection is facial swelling due to food impactions, tooth loss, and occasionally fracture or deterioration of the jawbone. In some instances blood flow to the head may be obstructed due to blockages of the carotid arteries. Arterial worm infection should be suspected in any white-tailed deer with a food impaction. Removal of worms from deer with food impactions serves as clinical confirmation of infection. The life cycle of this worm can be a little complicated so bear with me. Adult worms live primarily in the carotid arteries. Females produce larvae that

14

M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 0

lungs. Large lungworm infections can be confirmed by the presence on long (up to 1 ), slender white roundworms found in the trachea, bronchi of the lungs, or smaller airways. The life cycle for this parasite is similar to the large stomach worm in that larvae are passed out through feces. Larvae then advance to the infective stage within one week and are ingested by deer feeding on low vegetation. Once ingested the larvae migrate to the lungs and reach maturity in three to four weeks. Large lungworms are another parasite that is a contributing factor to declining herd health in areas where deer have exceeded the nutritional carrying capacity. In unmanaged deer herds, lungworm pneumonia and malnourishment can be a significant source of mortality in young deer especially in winter and early spring. Again, as with the large stomach worm, maintaining herds at or below carrying capacity will reduce losses due to lungworm but will not eliminate the parasite from the herd. Large lungworm does not pose a risk to human health. Nasal Bots Hunters and taxidermists who prepare a lot of European mounts are probably well familiar with nasal bots. Nasal bots are larvae of a specific genus of fly. The bots do not really cause any lesions in deer. Many of North Americas cervids are hosts for nasal bots. Clinical diagnosis of nasal bots is the recovery of the larvae. The life cycle for nasal bots begins with adult female flies laying eggs on the skin around the nose or mouth of deer. The larvae are released when the eggs are licked by deer. The larvae then migrate to the nasal passages and molt. The fully developed larvae exit the deer through snorting/sneezing. Even in high numbers, nasal bots are not thought to be harmful to deer. However, hunters tend to be concerned when they discover them. Rest assured there are no risks to human health from deer with nasal bots.
V O L U M E 1 0 , I S S UE 3

Deer lung with large lungworm (white roundworm) infection of the airways. Ear Mites Ear mites in whitetails are caused by a specific species of mite. Severe infestations can cause incoordination, circling, and stupor as a result of secondary bacterial infections of the inner ear. However, most deer do not demonstrate clinical signs. Deer with heavy mite infestations will have a high accumulation of waxy material in the external ear canal. Rarely do infestations result in secondary infections of the inner ear. Adult mites produce eggs in the ear which produce larvae. Following several molts, the larval mites develop into adults. Ear mites are transmitted between animals by contact or frequent use of areas used by infested deer. Ear mites do not impair the health of deer (with the exception of extreme infestations). Although ear mite infestations are not appealing to look at, there have been no human health implications reported. Demodectic Mange Mange in whitetails is attributed to a specific species of mange mite. Most deer with mites show no signs or lesions. Demodectic mange in deer resembles this condition in other animals. Hair loss resulting from mange can range from light to heavy combined with a thickening of the skin in the affected area. If you look closely, you should be able to identify small

Nasal bots found in the oral cavity of deer.

15

Subscribe Today!

Dont miss a single issue

Thickened, wrinkled skin commonly seen in deer with demodectic mange.

er n g rd t O gif ptio tin a cri un o! h to bs r su you dies r d fo bu

You can also order by phone (256) 409-1865

Subscribe online at www.coveyrise.net or mail this order form to Covey Rise, P. O. Box 545, Alexander City, AL 35011-0545
Name Address City Email Phone
3 Year ($59.00) 39 Issues 2 Year ($39.85) 36 Issues 1 Year ($24.95) 13 Issues
Check Enclosed Bill Me

State

Zip

a partner

with a vision

the possibilities

pustules in the skin that usually contain mites. Like ear mites, transmission occurs through direct contact or use of areas used by infected deer. No cases of deer mortality have been reported in deer and mange seems to occur more on an individual basis rather than at the herd level. Mange can cause concern to hunters, but since the lesions are confined to the skin, there is no risk of consuming a deer with mange. These are just a few of the more common deer diseases found in the Southeast that managers and hunters should be familiar with. One condition not included here is brain abscess. Ryan Basinger covered brain abscesses in his article Brain Abscesses A Potential Thorn in the Side of Intensive Deer Management Programs (March/April 2009 Volume 9 Issue 2). Again, the photos and information derived for this article were taken from the Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases in the Southeastern United States produced by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Athens, GA. SCWDS is a valuable resource to state wildlife agencies and landowners as a source for information and assistance with disease-related issues pertaining to the lands they manage. I would highly recommend purchasing the field manual (www. scwds.org) to help you identify diseases, ensure that proper samples are collected for diagnostic testing, and if nothing else to impress your hunting buddies when you know what a cutaneous fibroma is!
M AY / J U N E 2 0 1 0

16

334.502.3456

800.239.3293

687 North Dean Road

Auburn, Alabama 36830

w w w. c r a f t m a s t e r. c o m