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Diseases and Parasites | |
| Description Distribution Life History and Reproduction Threats and Mortality Diseases and Parasites Management Needs
Page created by Jeromy Norris |
Ticks, lice, and nasal bots are parasites commonly found on and in desert mule deer in the Trans-Pecos, occurring to a lesser extent in Panhandle deer. Burdens of these parasites are usually not high enough to be detrimental to the animal (Cantu and Richardson, 1997). Declining conditions in forage quantity and/ or quality can lead to nutritional stress and can reduce an animal’s resistance to disease and parasites. Also, the necessity of feeding closer to the ground on an overgrazed or drought-stricken range increases the chances of picking up spores or parasite eggs (Cantu and Richardson, 1997). This will result in the animals’ chances of survival to decrease. Research on desert mule deer indicates that diseases and parasites are of little management concern at the present time. Evidence of exposure to bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been documented in mule deer. The most common disease agent among mule deer appears to be warts (Cantu and Richardson, 1997). Mule deer from the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions have not shown any incidence of brucellosis, leptospirosis or infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). Most deer commonly harbor light infestations of ticks and nasal blots, but not at levels high enough to present a health problem to the deer. Likewise, internal parasites, especially stomach worms, are common but are not at sufficient levels to cause clinical symptoms. However, the concentration of individuals at feeding sites increases the potential for disease transmission. Because disease-causing organisms can be transmitted through the soil, supplemental feed should not be placed on the ground. Some type of trough should be used and, ideally, the feeding site should be relocated every year or two (Wilson and Ruff, 1999) |