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Investigation of a syndrome of sudden death, splenomegaly, and small intestinal hemorrhage in farmed deer.

A newly recognized syndrome, characterized by sudden death of farmed deer that are in good to excellent nutritional condition, with lesions of small intestinal mucosal hemorrhage and splenomegaly, is described. Other frequently observed lesions were small intestinal mucosal necrosis, abomasal hemorrhage, random hepatic necrosis, and multifocal hepatic congestion. Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated in high numbers from the intestines of many of the deer affected by the syndrome; however, the numbers were not significantly different from those of control deer. The syndrome did not appear to be related to dietary or any other specific management factors and a definitive cause of the syndrome was not identified.

Animals↗

Pulmonary mycosis in farmed deer: allergic zygomycosis and invasive aspergillosis.

During 1988, pulmonary mycosis was diagnosed in four of 116 farmed deer examined on suspicion of tuberculosis. The histopathology showed allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis in a red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the agent was identified as a zygomycete, probably Absidia corymbifera, by immunofluorescence staining. Three fallow deer (Dama dama) had invasive necrotizing mycotic pneumonia and progressive exudative mycotic alveolitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. In the red deer, weakness due to paratuberculosis had probably promoted the mycotic infection. The three fallow deer were bred on another farm, where predisposing factors included mouldy straw and incorrect management.

Animals↗

Diagnostic strategies and outcomes on three New Zealand deer farms with severe outbreaks of bovine tuberculosis.

SETTING: Three commercial deer herds, each containing more than 500 deer, experienced outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) ranging from a 6% prevalence to disease levels >50%. Intensive diagnostic testing was carried out over short time intervals after the initial diagnosis of TB. OBJECTIVE: To eradicate M. bovis infection from herds of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) in New Zealand, which had significant outbreaks of tuberculosis (>5%), using complementary diagnostic tests and elective slaughter of all test positive animals. DESIGN: Whole herd mid cervical skin tests (MCT) were used as the primary test and a comparative cervical test (CCT) as an ancillary test. In an attempt to enhance TB eradication, ancillary blood tests comprising; lymphocyte transformation tests (LT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used in parallel with MCT, or as serial tests, to complement skin testing. RESULTS: One deer herd (N), which had an acute outbreak (6%) of TB in adult stock, responded quickly to testing and the disease was eradicated within 12 months. A second more chronically infected herd (B), with low prevalence (2%) of TB initially in pregnant hinds which were retained over the breeding cycle, developed widespread uncontrollable spread of infection, that could not be contained by exhaustive testing. The final herd (S), which had an acute outbreak of TB at a prevalence >90% in young fawns, responded well to testing and became TB-free within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: TB can be eradicated from infected farmed deer herds, using currently available TB tests, irrespective of disease prevalence. The caveat is that disease must be diagnosed early in the acute phase of infection. Undiagnosed infection over winter in breeding hinds in one herd produced a refractory infection in adult males and females and uncontrollable spread to newborn fawns. Disease could not be eradicated using comprehensive diagnostic schedules. A widespread but controllable outbreak of acute TB in another herd, appeared to have caused sufficient selective pressure on adult stock that genetically resistant adults were selected within a very short time frame (<1 year).

Animal Husbandry↗

Mycobacterium bovis in free-living and captive wildlife, including farmed deer.

Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from a wide range of wildlife species, in addition to domestic animals. This review examines the role played by various species in the maintenance of M. bovis in wildlife communities and the spread to domestic animals. Badgers (Meles meles), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), bison (Bison bison) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are examples of wildlife that are maintenance hosts of M. bovis. The importance of these hosts has been highlighted by the growing realisation that these animals can represent the principal source of infection for both domestic animals and protected wildlife species. The range of methods for controlling M. bovis in wildlife is limited. While population control has been used in some countries, this approach is not applicable in many situations where protected wildlife species are concerned. Vaccination is a potential alternative control method, although as yet, no practical, effective system has been developed for vaccinating wildlife against bovine tuberculosis. Tuberculosis caused by M. bovis has also been a problem in captive wildlife and in recently domesticated animals such as farmed deer. Control of M. bovis in this group of animals is dependent on the judicious use of diagnostic tests and the application of sound disease control principles. The advances in the development of bovine tuberculosis vaccines for cattle and farmed deer may offer valuable insights into the use of vaccination for the control of tuberculosis in a range of captive wildlife species.

Africa↗

Paratuberculosis in farmed deer: case reports and DNA characterization of isolates of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was isolated from farmed deer in New Zealand on 21 occasions over a 7-year period. The number of cases increased during the last 3 years of the study. Clinical paratuberculosis was observed in 5 deer, 3 other cases came from grossly normal animals that reacted to a tuberculin skin test, and the remaining 13 animals had tuberculous lesions that were identified at meat inspection. Pathologic features of the lesions in these 13 cases included necrosis and mineralization in lymph nodes draining the gastrointestinal tract. The histologic changes in these lesions were very similar to those caused by Mycobacterium bovis and members of the M. avium complex. Characterization of 20 of the isolates of M. paratuberculosis by restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA hybridization revealed that 3 of these isolates were identical to New Zealand sheep isolates and 17 were the same as cattle isolates. The source of the cervine infections was not determined.

Animals↗

The isolation of Yersinia sp. from feral and farmed deer faeces.

Faecal samples from clinically normal farmed red deer, wapiti, fallow deer; and feral red deer and white tail deer were examined for members of the genus Yersinia. From 922 samples 176 strains of Y.enterocolitica, 56 strains of Y.frederiksenii, 29 strains of Y.kristensenii, eight strains of Y.intermedia, and seven strains of Y.pseudotuberculosis were isolated. High isolation rates of Yersinia sp. were recorded from some farms. Two herds had isolation rates of 33.3% and 36.8%. Sixteen strains of Yersinia sp. in addition to strains of Y.psuedotuberculosis were found to be Hela cell invasive. The majority of these strains were confined to a single herd and represented Y.enterocolitica biotypes I, II and III, Y.intermedia, Y. fredericksenii, and Y.kristensenii.

Journal Article↗

Advances in health and welfare of farmed deer in New Zealand.

New Zealand has lead the world in pastoral farming of red, wapiti and fallow deer since this was first sanctioned in 1970. Among technological advances in deer production systems have been milestones in our understanding of deer health and welfare in an intensive pastoral farming environment, contributed by the combined efforts of veterinary practitioners, producers and researchers. These advances have impacted enormously on the health and wellbeing of New Zealand's farmed deer population, and contribute significantly to the success of deer production systems and the sustainability of the industry's international markets and reputation. These activities have brought local and international distinction upon the veterinary profession in New Zealand, by demonstrating innovation and initiative in establishing a new discipline of veterinary endeavor. This paper briefly reviews the important milestones in veterinary knowledge of capture-stress management, deer mortalities, the key disease syndromes of tuberculosis, yersiniosis, malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), internal parasites, trace elements and miscellaneous conditions, and selected animal welfare issues.

Journal Article↗

An evaluation of the comparative tuberculin skin test for detecting tuberculosis in farmed deer.

A comparative cervical skin test using 1.0 mg/ml bovine purified protein derivative and 0.5 mg/ml avian purified protein derivative was evaluated as a method for detecting tuberculosis in farmed deer. A positive comparative cervical skin test reaction was defined as a bovine response with a 2 mm or greater increase in skin thickness which was greater or equal to the avian response. Estimates of the sensitivity of the comparative cervical skin test were obtained from a series of experiments conducted on 60 deer intratracheally inoculated with Mycobacterium bovis. Prior tuberculin skin testing was found to suppress the skin reactivity to a subsequent comparative cervical skin test. This effect was most pronounced at short intervals of 3-7 days, but could still be measured 60 days after the previous test. When the test interval was greater than 60 days, the sensitivity of the comparative cervical skin test was 91.4%. The specificity of the comparative cervical skin test was 98.7% when 1157 deer from 17 uninfected herds with a history of nonspecific skin test reactions were examined. There was no statistical difference in the mean skin thickness increases of three groups of infected animals tested with 2 mg/ml, 0.2 mg/ml and 0.02 mg/ml of bovine purified protein derivative respectively.

Journal Article↗

Xylazine and a xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination in farmed deer. I: dose rate comparison.

Six 1-year-old farmed red deer were used to compare physiological and behavioural responses to a range of doses of 5% xylazine with or without the addition of 0.4 mg of fentanyl citrate and 3.2 mg of azaperone per ml. Each deer was randomly assigned to one of six treatments: xylazine alone at 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg, the xylazinelfentanyl citrate/azaperone combination containing 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/kg of xylazine, or a sterile water control. Injections were given intramuscularly in the anterior neck, operator blind, on each of 6 sampling days between October and January, such that each deer received all treatments with 9-28 days between each treatment. Measurements included heart rate and respiration rate. A 0-3 scoring system (normal to nil response, respectively) was devised to record sedative responses (body stance, head position, degree of eye closure, palpebral reflex, resistance to movement of the head, response to noise) and analgesic responses to touch and pinching of the ear, and response to a needle prick in the gluteal region. Scores were added to produce a sedation score and analgesia score, respectively, for each treatment. Records were taken immediately prior to injection and thereafter at 5, 14, 25, 35, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240 and 300 minutes. All deer given each dose rate of the xylazine and the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination became recumbent. There was a tendency for the time to recumbency and variation of time to recumbency to be shorter at higher dose rates and with the addition of fentanyl citrate and azaperone to xylazine, particularly with xylazine at 0.4 mg/kg. These trends were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The duration of recumbency was shorter with the low dose of the xylazine/fentanyl trateiazaperone combination (0.2 mg/kg of xylazine) than for the higher doses of xylazine alone or the combination of drugs (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in heart rates or respiration rates between treatments, although all treatments significantly reduced both heart and respiration rates (p<0.01). The sedation scores showed similar peak responses and timing to peak responses (14-25 min) to both drug treatments and all dose rates, but the responses were less persistent for lower doses. The analgesia scores showed a similar pattern, with peak responses 14-35 minutes after administration and more persistence at higher dose rates of both xylazine alone and the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination. This study has shown that most physiological and behavioural responses to a range of doses of xylazine or the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination were statistically similar. However, there was a tendency for recumbency to occur more rapidly and with less variation in timing when the mid-range dose of the drug combination was used, supporting the observation by practitioners that the drug combination results in a more rapid and reliable state of recumbency at a lower dose rate of xylazine.

Journal Article↗

Survey of internal parasitism and anthelmintic use in farmed deer.

Faecal samples and questionnaires from 115 and 130 farms respectively were used to survey the internal parasite status of the national deer herd and examine current drenching practices. The survey included farms with red deer and wapiti-red deer crosses (Cervus elaphus), and fallow deer (Dama dama). Gastrointestinal nematode eggs were recorded from 84% of all farms, Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae from 85% of all farms, and Elaphostrongylus cervi larvae from 35% of the farms with C. elaphus. Faecal egg and larval counts were generally low. There was a significant relationship between the presence of Elaphostrongylus and the introduction of deer from Southland/Fiordland. Fenbendazole, oxfendazole and albendazole were the most frequently used anthelmintics of the 14 reported. Drenching programmes were extremely varied.

Journal Article↗

Paratuberculosis and avian tuberculosis infections in one red deer farm studied by IS900 and IS901 RFLP analysis.

As the attempt to eradicate paratuberculosis in one red deer (Cervus elaphus) farm failed, all 167 red deer of different age groups were slaughtered and examined by culture for mycobacteria, and the farm was closed down. Spleen and hepatic lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph node, ileocecal lymph node, and ileum were collected from each animal and examined (a total of 835 organs). Neither tuberculosis lesions nor pathognomic signs of paratuberculosis were detected. Among all microscopically negative for mycobacteria organs, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis alone was isolated from 165 organs, M. a. avium alone from 41 organs, and both pathogens from four organs. M. a. paratuberculosis alone was detected in 71 red deer, M. a. avium alone in 13 red deer and both pathogens in 18 red deer. Using standardised RFLP methods, three IS900 RFLP types B-C1, B-C16, and B-C32 were identified among 40 M. a. paratuberculosis isolates and four IS901 RFLP types N-B1, N-B3, N-B4, and P-B3 among 17 M. a. avium isolates.

Animals↗

Xylazine and a xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination in farmed deer. II: velvet antler removal and reversal combinations.

Three studies were undertaken on farmed red and red x wapiti deer to evaluate xylazine and a xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination for velvet antler removal. In the first experiment, 30 1-2 year-old red and 25% red x wapiti deer whose velvet was to be removed were given either 5% xylazine alone at 0.5 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly or the same dose rate of a commercially available mixture of 5% xylazine with the addition of 0.4 mg of fentanyl citrate and 3.2 mg of azaperone per ml. Physiological, behavioural and analgesic responses and reversal times after yohimbine or yohimbine and naloxone were monitored. There were no differences in heart rate, respiration rate, sedative or analgesic properties detected between xylazine or the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination. All deer became recumbent, but those given the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination became recumbent more rapidly than those given xylazine alone (9.4 and 12.5 minutes, respectively, p<0.05). The arousal pattern and timing of reversal of xylazine and xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone using yohimbine and yohimbine and naloxone, respectively, were similar. The second experiment evaluated the reversal of the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination with either yohimbine or yohimbine and naloxone in 43 3-year-old red deer stags after velvet antler removal. There were no differences in arousal pattern or time to standing between reversal treatments. Sixteen 1-year-old red and 25% red x wapiti stags were used in the third experiment to evaluate clinically the analgesic properties of xylazine and xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination during velvet removal without the application of a local anaesthetic agent. Withdrawal responses were observed in most deer after the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination at dosages containing 0.5, 0.7 and 0.75 mg of xylazine/kg and after xylazine alone at 0.7 mg/kg, indicating that insufficient analgesia was provided by the systemic agent for the surgical procedure of velvet antler removal. These studies have shown that the knock-down effect of the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination was more rapid than that of xylazine alone, but that other physiological, behavioural and analgesic responses at doses used and evaluated by the methods used were similar. Reversal of both the xylazine and xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination was similar when using either yohimbine alone for xylazine and the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination or yohimbine and naloxone for the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination. The evaluation of surgical analgesia for antler removal suggested that both xylazine alone and the xylazine/fentanyl citrate/azaperone combination provided insufficient analgesia and that local anaesthetic should be used in all cases.

Journal Article↗

Genetic selection in farmed deer.

Selection is the major tool used by breeders to improve the genetic quality of their livestock. Traditional methods of selection are well proven and useful in improving the economic merit of livestock. The performance of an animal is affected by its genetic quality and by the environment in which it is reared. While environmental improvement is expensive and requires continuous inputs, genetic improvement is cumulative and permanent, provided that selection is maintained. To select an animal on its genetic merit account must be taken of the environmental effects on its performance. Comparisons between the performance of animals on different farms or in different years are not valid unless they have genetic material in common. The speed at which genetic improvement is passed on to the rest of a population is affected by the variation and heritability of the traits being selected, the selection intensity and the generation interval. The deer population in the United Kingdom has a high degree of variation for important traits but the selection intensity is low and the generation intervals are larger than in other farmed species. Central performance testing, group breeding schemes and the use of artificial insemination are tools which will be important in the genetic improvement of farmed deer.

Agriculture↗

Potential wildlife sources of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis for farmed deer (Cervus elaphus).

During 1982 and 1983 15 serotype I, 6 serotype II, 1 serotype III and 3 untyped strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were isolated from 675 apparently normal small mammals and birds from the Invermay farm and nearby rubbish tip with the following prevalence rates: feral cats 27.8%, Norway rats 8.6%, mice 5.5%, hares 3.8% rabbits 1.9% ducks 5.3%, sparrows 2.3%, seagulls 2.3% and starlings 1.7%. For rabbits a significantly higher prevalence of infection was found in the autumn/winter period (4.8%) than the spring/summer period (0%). Insufficient numbers of other mammals were obtained to demonstrate any seasonal difference in prevalence. All bird isolations were obtained between March and July (8/158) compared with none from August to October (0/144). It appears that a number of free-living species of small mammal and birds may be reservoir hosts for Y. pseudotuberculosis and potential sources of infection for red deer on the Invermay farm.

Journal Article↗