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Free-Ranging Bull Elk

Kristen Baumann Christie Kranz Luiza Assis. Free-Ranging Bull Elk. Background. Related to deer, but much larger Also called “wapiti” which means light-colored deer Common parasites of elk include: Lungworm ( Dictyocaulus ) Arterial worm ( Elaeophora schneideri )

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Free-Ranging Bull Elk

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  1. Kristen Baumann Christie Kranz LuizaAssis Free-Ranging Bull Elk

  2. Background • Related to deer, but much larger • Also called “wapiti” which means light-colored deer • Common parasites of elk include: • Lungworm (Dictyocaulus) • Arterial worm (Elaeophoraschneideri) • Liver fluke (Fascioloides magna)

  3. Case 1 • Yearling bull elk • In December, left group, became solitary • Began to frequent nearby barn • Clinical signs: • Loss of fear of humans • Ataxia • Loss of balance • Drooping head

  4. Case 1 • Elk was tranquilized, blood drawn • Plasma sample tested for presence of antibodies against parasitic worms in an ELISA • Results indicated bull elk was exposed • Suspected P. tenuis • No larvae detected in feces, did find lung-worm Dictyocaulus • Euthanized in June due to deteriorating condition

  5. Postmortem Examination • Meningoencephalomyelitis • Parasite observed in brain sections • Areas of hemorrhages observed in white matter of spinal cord and brain • In lungs, adult female worm with eggs recovered, Dictyocaulus sp. • Severe pulmonary congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cells

  6. Diagnosis • Central nervous system and pulmonary lesions attributable to two different, simultaneous infections • Dictyocaulus & P. tenuis • Dictyocaulus worm found, antibodies detected in blood • Pulmonary lesions

  7. Diagnosis Part 2 • P. tenuis • Field infected elk rarely pass many P. tenuislarvae • Neurologic disease-L3 migrate aimlessly through CNS in incidental hosts • CNS Lesions found

  8. Exam Question • Why do elk rarely pass P. tenuislarvae in their feces?

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