Prevention and Treatment Methods and Technical Key Points for Necrobacillosis in Deer

Deer necrobacillosis is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by the strictly anaerobic Fusobacterium necrophorum as the primary pathogen. It can occur in all four seasons, but is more prevalent in summer and autumn. The main source of infection is diseased deer, and deer of all ages can be infected. Skin damage is the main route of infection, but infection can also occur through trauma of the digestive tract, damage from antler sawing, wounds of the birth canal, and omphalitis. In addition, wet and muddy ground, uneven surfaces, hot and humid weather, and poor feeding and management tend to promote the occurrence of this disease.

If necrobacillosis occurs in a deer herd, clinical treatment measures should be taken immediately. Local wound therapy: Thoroughly remove the necrotic tissue and pus from the affected area to fully expose the wound surface, wash the area around the lesion, clip the hair, apply iodine tincture, then rinse the wound with a 3%-5% hydrogen peroxide solution or a 0.1%-0.2% potassium permanganate solution. To prevent contamination of the affected wound, bandage the wound with gauze soaked in Vishi's fluid ointment, ichthammol, or pure tar. When bandaging, multiple wraps and knots should be used to prevent it from coming off. Depending on the condition, it is generally treated once every 2-3 days until the wound heals. Systemic therapy: The purpose of systemic therapy is to control infection and prevent deterioration of the condition and ascending infection to the internal organs and the whole body. Antibiotic treatment is mostly used. Drug sensitivity tests have shown that Fusobacterium necrophorum is extremely sensitive to oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and cephalosporin, and is also highly sensitive to penicillin, polymyxin, and kanamycin. Each deer farm may select the above antibiotics according to the situation. Generally, penicillin, polymyxin, etc. are used at a dosage of 2 million units-2.5 million units for adult deer, by intramuscular injection, with the dosage reduced as appropriate for fawns. Oxytetracycline, tetracycline, etc. can be administered orally, at a dosage of 0.05 g per kg of body weight. If systemic therapy and local wound therapy are carried out at the same time, very good results can be achieved.

Strengthening feeding management and strict veterinary hygiene measures are important links in preventing deer necrobacillosis. Deer sheds should always be kept clean and dry. Regular disinfection should be carried out, and the disinfectant can be a 3% bleaching powder solution or 15% fresh limewater, etc. The floor of the enclosure should be level to reduce friction and puncture injuries to the deer's hooves. When fawns are grouped, docile does should be placed with them, keeping things quiet to prevent injuries from bumping into each other when the herd is startled and runs about. In addition, feeding should be strengthened, and timely supplementation of mineral mixture or concentrate-type compound feed can ensure good body condition of the deer. Newly introduced deer should be quarantined after entering the premises. Diseased deer should be immediately isolated for rearing and given clinical treatment. Equipment in the isolation pen must strictly not be shared with healthy pens.