Hepatogenous photosensitisation in fallow deer (Dama dama) in New Zealand

Authors: Hoggard GK, Smith BL, Thompson KG, Asher GW
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 45, Issue 3, pp 88-92, Jun 1997
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Mycotoxicosis, Liver/hepatic disease, Fungal/yeast, Pathology, Photosensitivity, Toxicology
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitisation occurred in fallow deer and was diagnosed as facial eczema on the basis of liver lesions and plasma enzyme changes over 56 weeks. Clinical signs of photosensitisation were not as obvious as they are in sheep and cattle. The condition occurred over autumn and in the following spring. Six of 23 deer died or were destroyed. Concentrations of plasma total bilirubin, total bile acids and cholesterol increased, as well as the activities of aspartate transaminase, glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltransferase. Albumin:globulin ratios declined due to moderate increases in globulin and minor reductions in albumin. Many of the plasma enzyme activities did not return to normal after autumn and increased to even higher values during the spring outbreak of photosensitisation. Minor plasma biochemical changes were also detected in non-photosensitive deer in the same herd.

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