A Detailed Explanation of the Causes of Sudden Death in Deer and Prevention Methods

Causes of deer “sudden death”:

Deer “sudden death” is mainly caused by infection with multiple bacteria, accounting for 77.4% of total isolates, but the main pathogenic bacterium is Pasteurella multocida, accounting for 37.3% of total isolates, followed by Clostridium welchii, accounting for 23.5%, and other bacterial isolates account for 23.5%.

Prevention of this disease should start from the following aspects:

1. In deer sheds and exercise yards, the ground should be paved with bricks or concrete. However, brick paving is preferable, as it is easier to sweep and scrub.

2. During the epidemic season of this disease (mainly summer), exhaust fans should be installed inside the shed for ventilation.

3. Strengthen feeding management and ensure the hygiene of feed and drinking water. Coarse dry branches and firewood that have been fed, as well as feces, should be cleaned once a day.

4. Disinfect the enclosure regularly, once a month, and once every half month during the disease season.

5. When introducing deer, strict quarantine must be carried out, and management and cleaning during transport must be done well.

6. When feeding, do not suddenly change the feed variety; if changing, it should be done gradually from a small amount to an appropriate amount. When feeding concentrated feed and tender green coarse feed rich in protein, it should not be excessive.

7. When grazing, avoid damp and low-lying plots, and choose dry, high-lying areas for grazing.

8. For preventive injection, the deer sudden death disease triple vaccine can be used, 4 ml per animal, mixed evenly and injected intramuscularly, once every half year, with good results.