Broken Antler & Lungworm

JRoe

Well-Known Member
Hello all - - I had a guy out last night and he shot a nice young Buck in a field of wheat. A fine healthy looking beast but he had both Antlers snapped off quite low down - - probably happened a few weeks ago - - the breaks were coloured and looked old. I skinned him half expecting to find some RTA type damage, but to no, he was fine - - he looked first class. As usual I chopped up the offal for Sam (the old & resident Springer) and found that the lungs were quite heavily infected with Lungworm which is unusual here. I shouldn't think that there's any association between the two issues but you never know - -maybe whatever broke the Antlers hurt him enough to lower his immune system allowing the Lungworm to get a hold.

Any thoughts - - ideas ?

Regards

JR
 
It would be interesting to see some pictures of the lung worm mate for those of us that havn't found / seen them before.
 
The lungs are in quite a mess, I assume this would end up being terminal to the beast when the worms got a proper hold ???

Thanks for the pictures.

CADEX
 
There are loads of different types of lungworms. the common cattle lungworm affects the larger species of deer, causing a cough particularly in yearlings, but in older deer which develop a resistance there are few problems. Roe deer have their own specific species of lungworm. This causes much more serious disease and is a major limiting factor on roe populations in areas where they are not managed. Infection cannot be passed from deer to humans or dogs.

There are other species of lungworm which are found in carnivores (dogs and foxes) whereby infection is picked up by ingesting an intermediate host normally slugs and snails. These lungworms are unrelated to those shown in the photos.

Dama
 
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There are loads of different types of lungworms. the common cattle lungworm affects the larger species of deer, causing a cough particularly in yearlings, but in older deer which develop a resistance there are few problems. Roe deer have their own specific species of lungworm. This causes much more serious disease and is a major limiting factor on roe populations in areas where they are not managed. Deer pick up both diseases from ingesting larvae from the pasture. Infection cannot be passed from deer to humans or dogs.

There are other species of lungworm which are found in carnivores (dogs and foxes) whereby infection is picked up by ingesting an intermediate host normally slugs and snails. These lungworms are unrelated to those shown in the photos.

Dama
Thanks for that Dama -- just what I want'd to know.

JR
 
Whilst lungworm can manifest itself in malformed antlers, I don't think broken antlers are of any significance.

I think you're right - - as far as the broken Antlers are concerned I was really expecting to find some other injury - - maybe some bruising or other damage. It would have taken quite a knock to break the two of them - - and quite low down too. I've had an odd broken Antler before but not both and only a couple of Lungworm examples over more years than I care to remember.I hadn't seen him previously which is slightly strange as I pass through the area several times a day and where he was shot is not a spot where I would normally expect to see Roe. He may have been there to try and keep a low profile since he couldn't defend himself.
By the way the pics were taken on my mobile so I was toiling to get a good close up.

- - and thanks for everyone's input.

JR
 
Is that a heavy or light infestation? To my keyboard warrior skills (ie, I have no idea what I'm talking about :-D) I would have said light. Am I right or wrong?
Good photos, shame I was eating a sandwich at the time. :D


Ignore me. I just read the first post again. Doh, I was wrong...............
 
lungworm.jpg


Thats one I shot a few weeks ago, I am just a stalker there not responsable for cull plan but there are very high densities of roe in the area.

Dave
 
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