Pathogenicity of Ostertagia circumcincta, O. ostertagi and H. contortus in weanling stag fawns (Cervus elaphus)

Authors: Familton AS, Sykes AR, Johnston JT, McAnulty R
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 32, Issue 10, pp 177-179, Oct 1984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Parasites - internal, Nematode
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Groups of four stag fawns, weighing 51 ± 0.8 kg, were-infected with 30,000 larvae of one of three nematode parasites: O.circumcincta, O.ostertugia, or H.contortus. A further four remained as control. Individual feed intake, body-weight, faecal egg count and plasma pepsinogen concentration were measured during seven weeks after infection. Only infection with H.contortus caused significant elevation of pepsinogen concentration to 380ml/ L and consistent depression of feed intake (15%). Worm egg counts were below 300 e.p.g. in deer infected with all worm species. It is concluded that while resistance to development of parasites common to other species appears to be high further investigation of the susceptibility of deer to H. contortus infection would be justifiable.

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