Hematology, serum chemistry, and serum protein electrophoresis ranges for free-ranging roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Sweden

The Levels of Cortisol and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Red Deer Harvested during Stalking Hunts

As a reactive species, the red deer is sensitive to both negative exogenous and endogenous stimuli. An intensive hunting period may have a particularly negative impact on game animals. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma cortisol level and biochemical parameters in 25 wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) harvested during stalking hunts in correlation with the sex and age of the animals. The mean cortisol concentrations in the stags and hinds analyzed in this study were similar (20.2 and 21.5 ng/mL, respectively). Higher HDL cholesterol values were found in the blood of the hinds than in stags (p < 0.05). Similarly, the mean levels of LDL cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher by 21%, 16%, and 42%, respectively, in the blood of the hinds. In contrast, the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in the stags (by 30%, 49%, and 36%, respectively). There was a negative correlation of the cortisol concentration with urea and bilirubin and a positive correlation between cortisol and aspartate aminotransferase in the stags (p < 0.05). In turn, a negative correlation was found between the cortisol and urea levels in the hinds (p < 0.05). In summary, the stress caused by stalking hunts and the characteristic behavior of red deer during the mating season had an impact on chosen biochemical parameters. The increased concentration of cortisol resulted in a decrease in the carcass mass, which may lead to the deterioration of the physical condition of animals on hunting grounds.

Physiological response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during stalking hunts depending on age

BACKGROUND

The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a species particularly reactive to all kinds of negative stimuli. Hunting activity is one of the most potent stressors that disturbs the welfare of wild animals. During stress, various endocrine responses are elicited to improve the physical performance of the affected individual. A commonly assessed hormone for overcoming stressful situations is cortisol (CORT). In this study, plasma CORT levels in roe deer were assessed during the season of the most intense stalking hunts in Poland (summer vs. late autumn), the sex of the harvested animals (males vs. females), and age of harvest animal. In addition, the health status of the roe doe was evaluated on the basis of selected indices of blood chemistry, which could be associated with circulating cortisol levels.

RESULTS

The mean cortisol levels were 58.066 ng/ml in the male group (summer) and 27.694 ng/ml in the female group (late autumn). Higher CORT levels were associated with a significantly lower of total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid (p < 0.05). Moreover, the mean concentration of uric acid was negatively correlated with the level of CORT in the male and female groups (p < 0.05). Together with the increase in mean CORT level, the HDL cholesterol of all the tested animals increased significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher CORT in males during the summer than in females during the late autumn were most likely due to the arousal with the mating season. The level of CORT increased with the animals' age. Uric acid and age are both predictors of roe deer's serum CORT level.

Hematological and Serum Biochemical Values of Free-Ranging Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Poland

This study presents the hematological and serum biochemical values of physically captured roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study material was blood sampled from roe deer captured with the use of a specialist trap mesh and no anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 122 roe deer from January to April in 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the Lublin region of Poland. The hematological and biochemical variables were determined with results showing statistically significant differences between the mean values of RBC, HCT, and HB according to sex. Reference intervals should be more specific to the broad physical versus chemical capture categories.

Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes. Few papers have reported reference ranges for the haematological and biochemical parameters of roe deer. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical parameters in traumatised roe deer in relation to animal hospitalisation outcomes. The study was carried out on a cohort of 98 roe deer divided into groups according to their age and hospitalisation outcome. For each animal, a panel of haematological and biochemical parameters was performed. Significant differences were found between unweaned (<4 months old) groups in terms of MCV, MCH, CK, creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin, and between weaned (>4 months old) groups for total bilirubin. Creatine kinase, creatinine, and bilirubin may be useful indicators to correlate with the severity of trauma and help predict prognosis.

The Effect of Reynoutria × Bohemica on the Condition of Capreolus Capreolus and Cervus Elaphus

The objective of the work is to evaluate the effects of a granulated feeding mixture enriched with knotweed (Reynoutria × bohemica) on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) bred at a closed farm and red deer (Cervus elaphus) bred at a farm. Based on both biochemical and haematological blood analysis, the knotweed is expected to have an influence on the microbiome in the digestive system as well as allowing better utilisation of fodder and lower manifestation of pathogenic organisms. The results are of practical use mainly on farms and in hobby breeding but also in deer parks. Furthermore, the results may be used for feeding deer in open hunting grounds.

Salmonella enterica Subsp. houtenae Associated with an Abscess in Young Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

BACKGROUND

S. enterica subsp. houtenae has been rarely documented, and very limited genomic information is available. This report describes a rare case of primary extraintestinal salmonellosis in a young roe deer, associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae.&nbsp;Methods: A traditional cultural-based analysis was carried out from the contents of a neck abscess; biochemical identification and PCR assay were performed to isolate and identify the pathogen. Through whole-genome sequencing (WGS), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), core genome MLST (cgMLST), and the Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) survey, resistome and virulome genes were investigated to gain insight into the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of S. houtenae.

RESULTS

Biochemical identification and PCR confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp. in the swelling. The WGS analysis identified Salmonella enterica subspecies houtenae serovar 43:z4,z23:- and ST 958. The virulence study predicted a multidrug resistance pattern with resistance shown against aminoglycosides, tetracycline, beta-lactamase, fluoroquinolones, fosfomycin, nitroimidazole, aminocoumarin, and peptide. Fifty-three antibiotic-resistant genes were identified. No plasmids were detected.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the importance of continuous surveillance of pathogenic salmonellae. Biomolecular analyses combined with epidemiological data can provide important information about poorly described Salmonella strains and can help to improve animal welfare.

Calcinosis in a roe deer fawn (Capreolus capreolus) in northern Germany

Background

Calcinosis has been reported for a broad range of different animals. Causes for calcinosis include metabolic disorders due to kidney failure, intoxication with calcinogenic plants, or iatrogenic overdose of vitamin D. Especially young animals seem to be very susceptible to developing calcinosis. Currently, however, there is a lack of information on calcinosis in wildlife.

Case presentation

The following case report describes a roe deer fawn admitted to a clinic due to general weakness and myiasis. Plasma levels for creatinine, urea and phosphate were highly elevated, whereas the total calcium level was decreased. Necropsy revealed calcinosis due to calcification in many organs. The reason for calcinosis in this particular case might be kidney failure. Plasma samples from other hunted roe deer fawns also showed high phosphate levels.

Conclusions

Roe deer fawns might be susceptible to calcinosis due to high plasma phosphate, which could be a result of kidney failure or different feed. Further research into calcium and phosphate homeostasis in roe deer is necessary.

Wildlife Ungulate Rescue and Emergency Services in the Pisa Area (Tuscany, Italy): Evaluation of a 9-Years Period (2010-2018)

Background: We analyzed the clinical data of wildlife ungulates admitted for emergency care to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pisa over a 9-years period. Methods: Clinical data of all the wildlife ungulates admitted to the VTH were recorded. Blood samples were also taken from the animals for hematological and biochemical analysis. An assessment of ecto- and endoparasites was carried out, diagnostic imaging assessment was performed, and the outcomes were recorded. Results: Data concerning clinical parameters, blood work, parasitological analysis, and diagnostic imaging diagnosis were expressed as prevalence. Conclusion: The rescue and emergency treatments were related mostly to traumas caused by car accidents, followed by other causes. The traumatic injuries were mostly severe, characterized by multiple lesions involving hard and soft tissues. In this study, traffic accidents were the main cause of wildlife rescue and emergency management. This is probably due to the increased population of ungulates over the years, along with the considerable anthropization of the Pisa area.

Quantifying capture stress in free ranging European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

BACKGROUND

To understand and reduce the concomitant effects of trapping and handling procedures in wildlife species, it is essential to measure their physiological impact. Here, we examined individual variation in stress levels in non-anesthetized European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), which were captured in box traps and physically restrained for tagging, biometrics and bio-sampling. In winter 2013, we collected venous blood samples from 28 individuals during 28 capture events and evaluated standard measurements for stress (heart rate, body temperature, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, lactate and total cortisol). Additionally, we assessed stress using the immunological tool, Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC), a real-time proxy for stress measuring oxygen radical production by leukocytes. Finally, the behavioral response to handling was recorded using a scoring system.

RESULTS

LCC and therefore stress levels were negatively influenced by the time animals spent in the box trap with human presence at the capture site prior to handling. In contrast, none of the classical stress measures, including total cortisol, nor the behavioral assessment, were correlated with the stressor tested (time of human presence prior to handling) and thus did not provide a clear depiction regarding the extent of the animals short-term stress response.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall our study verifies the LCC as a strong method to quantify short-term stress reactions in wildlife. Moreover, our results clearly show that human presence at the trapping site prior to handling should be kept to an absolute minimum in order to reduce stress levels.