Urolithiasis in a wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) population

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pathology
• Wildlife Health
• Urolithiasis Research

Background:

• Renal calculi, or kidney stones, are a recognized condition in various animal species.
• Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of urolithiasis in wildlife is crucial for population health management.
• Red deer (Cervus elaphus) represent a significant cervid species where urolithiasis data is less commonly reported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of renal calculi in a sample of red deer.
• To document the macroscopic appearance and chemical composition of identified calculi.
• To explore potential patterns in the incidence of urolithiasis within the examined red deer population.

Main Methods:

• Examination of 325 pairs of red deer kidneys for the presence of renal calculi.
• Macroscopic description and illustration of collected calculi, noting variations in size and shape.
• Chemical analysis of one calculus to determine its predominant composition.

Main Results:

• Renal calculi were detected in 8 out of 325 examined red deer kidney pairs.
• All eight deer with calculi were female; only one exhibited infection in both kidneys.
• An additional three deer with severe urolithiasis were incidentally found, two of which were male.
• Calculi exhibited a range of sizes and shapes, with one analyzed sample being predominantly calcium carbonate.

Conclusions:

• The study identified a prevalence of renal calculi in 2.46% of the examined red deer.
• Findings suggest a potential higher susceptibility to renal calculi in female red deer.
• Calcium carbonate is a significant component of renal calculi in this red deer population.