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Pasteurella multocida septicaemia in fallow deer (Dama dama)
M J Carrigan1, H J Dawkins, F A Cockram
1New South Wales Agriculture and Fisheries, Agricultural Research and Veterinary Centre, Orange.
Australian Veterinary Journal
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Fallow deer experienced mortality linked to Pasteurella multocida infections during cold, wet weather. Necropsies revealed severe lung lesions, indicating a significant disease outbreak in the herd.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Wildlife Health
Background:
- Fallow deer populations can be susceptible to disease outbreaks.
- Environmental conditions, such as cold, wet weather and water-logged pastures, may predispose wildlife to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of mortality in a fallow deer population experiencing sudden deaths.
- To identify the etiological agent and pathological findings associated with the disease outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of affected deer.
- Bacteriological isolation and characterization of microbial agents from tissues.
- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and antigenic typing of bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Thirteen of 100 fallow deer died over five weeks in two outbreaks.
- Gross and histopathological findings included severe pulmonary congestion, edema, fibrinous pneumonia, and hemorrhages.
- Pasteurella multocida (Carter group A, Heddleston type 3,4) was isolated from seven of eight necropsied deer.
Conclusions:
- Pasteurella multocida infection was identified as the likely cause of the fallow deer deaths.
- Environmental factors and the specific strain of P. multocida may have contributed to the outbreak's severity.