Crystallised deposit on kidneys (muntjac)

[JamesH]

I’ve now shot two muntjac does on the same piece of ground with crystallised deposits on kidneys. Tonight’s was only grape sized lumps on one kidney but the last one was the same size as the kidneys on both. No other signs of disease or ill health.

Nothing seems to be mentioned in my DSC1 material or other stalking books.

Any ideas what it is and how to deal with the carcass and organs?

 

[deerstalker.308]

Any pictures? Colour? Inside or or the kidneys?

 

[Buchan]

Sorry, we need a picture. I can't think of why one would get crystals on the surface of the kidney. A quick search brings up suggestions of gout, but mostly in chickens, or a previous infection/trauma.
Were all LN normal

 

[JamesH]

Yes sorry I realise pictures would help. I didn’t take any but will if I get another example.
LN all normal.

 

[Buchan]

PLease do, it sounds odd. Re=reading your post I see you said one was the same size as the kidney. One concern is that TB can become a calcified nodule.

 

[JamesH]

PLease do, it sounds odd. Re=reading your post I see you said one was the same size as the kidney. One concern is that TB can become a calcified nodule.

Calcified and resembling bone? This was hard, translucent and colourless and crunchy which is why I used the term crystallised. Its KJ led to a dairy farm so TB is a serious concern. No other indicators and I always check to the best of my abilities. No shortage of deer at this spot so I’ll get back out for others.

 

[Buchan]

Calcified and resembling bone? This was hard, translucent and colourless and crunchy which is why I used the term crystallised. Its KJ led to a dairy farm so TB is a serious concern. No other indicators and I always check to the best of my abilities. No shortage of deer at this spot so I’ll get back out for others.

Weird. Let's see some more, with pictures please. It might be worth getting it analysed, it could be something new

 

[DaveW]

I've come across this post as it is a perfect description of a muntjac doe I shot last night. One of her kidneys was attached to a crispy, translucent growth that had some structure, but could be crushed in the hand. The rest of the carcass was healthy. I would note that she was very very old (teeth worn to almost completely flat and down to the last 2-3mm).

I have recently shot two other muntjac in this area (within 100m) and neither had this issue.

No evidence of TB in the area with ~75 deer shot last year.

@Buchan Some (poor) pictures below. Any ideas?
@JamesH Did you eat yours... and if so are you still with us??

 

[DaveW]

The top picture is the growth as seen inside the cavity (i.e. outer surface of the growth) and the bottom picture shows the inside surface of the growth that was attached to the kidney... if that makes sense!

 

[JamesH]

I ate it but decided to bin the organs (I usually like to use as much as possible). I’m still here! No strange taste or anything noticeable to the meat.

I’ve shot deer in the same location since but not found it again frustratingly. If I get it again I’ll keep it, take photos and see about getting analysis done.

Your pictures look slightly different o the kidneys I inspected but the description is the same or very close.

 

[Buchan]

OK, that's odd. How old was the beast? Reason I ask is that it looks like fat necrosis and might relate to brown fat still being present if young. But I am guessing. It would be good to get that analysed. If you still have it, can you ask your vet for a pot of formalin and put it in (or a bit if it is a small pot, the rule is usually formalin at 5x the volume of sample. I'll see if I can find some funding to get a section done.

 

[DaveW]

Sadly I no longer have it. I’ve just checked the carcass and all remaining fat looks normal. That’s frustrating!
My animal was very old.
The only reference I have for fat necrosis (Larry Fowles Complete deer stalker) doesn’t look like the stuff I found in the doe. I would say my growth was next to fat rather than being fat with an issue.

 

[Free range rob]

I’ve just had very similiar.

Munt doe, approx 3yr old, no milk and not pregnant.

Rock hard, calcified kidneys, not a lesion, lump, abnormal node, mark on it anywhere other than the kidneys

 

[VSS]

I’ve just had very similiar.

Munt doe, approx 3yr old, no milk and not pregnant.

Rock hard, calcified kidneys, not a lesion, lump, abnormal node, mark on it anywhere other than the kidneysView attachment 351485View attachment 351484

You must have hard water in your area

 

[Buchan]

Odd. However, having been caught out on a previous thread, I wonder about a uterus with a retained foetus that's now calcified. Just that the fleshy bits on the top of the second picture could be an ovary. This is the disadvantage of a picture!
Have you cut in to it?

 

[deerstalker.308]

Odd. However, having been caught out on a previous thread, I wonder about a uterus with a retained foetus that's now calcified. Just that the fleshy bits on the top of the second picture could be an ovary. This is the disadvantage of a picture!
Have you cut in to it?

Always good to hedge one’s bets! To be fair that last one had a few scratching heads so you weren’t alone!

 

[SikaSeeker]

I had this a few years ago, the two kidneys were in a liquid filled crystallised sacks. They exploded in my hands. That roe fed the wildlife over the next few days