Presumptive gangrenous ergotism in 10 moose (Alces alces) and one roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is reported. Three of the moose came from a municipality in southeastern Norway where the disease occurred as a cluster in 1996. The other moose represented solitary or sporadic cases diagnosed in four municipalities in northwestern Norway between 1996 and 2004. Affected moose (seven calves, three yearlings) were found between October and June, showing distal limb lesions on one to three limbs. The lesions in the moose found during October and November presented as dry gangrene, whereas moose found between December and June presented with loss of the distal part of the limbs or open lesions close to sloughing. Four of the moose also had bilateral ear lesions affecting the outer third of the pinnae. A retrospective diagnosis of ergotism (June 1981) was made in a 1-yr-old roe deer from northwestern Norway showing loss of the distal part of all four limbs.
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1 July 2005
Presumptive Gangrenous Ergotism in Free-Living Moose and a Roe Deer
Kjell Handeland,
Turid Vikøren
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 41 • No. 3
July 2005
Vol. 41 • No. 3
July 2005
Alces alces
Capreolus capreolus
cervids
Claviceps pupurea
ergotism
gangrene
mycotoxin