Mandibular Osteomyelitis in Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus Hispanicus) and Fallow Deer (Dama Dama): Occurrence and Associated Factors in Free-Living Populations in Southern Spain

Abstract

The prevalence of mandibular osteomyelitis, which results in a condition called lumpy jaw, and factors associated with its occurrence were investigated in syntopic free-living populations of red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) in Spain. The study material consisted of 3,586 mandibles from 2,548 red deer and 1,038 fallow deer shot during sport hunting, herd management culls, and programs for population control between 1988 and 1997 (period 1) and 2002 and 2009 (period 2) in eastern Sierra Morena, southern Spain. Disease prevalence ranged from 0.36% to 10.91% among age groups. Older animals were significantly more likely to be affected than younger ones. Red deer stags had higher prevalence than other groups. There was a significantly higher prevalence in period 1, probably associated with differences in climatic and population conditions. High population densities of female red deer contributed significantly to occurrence of disease. Intensive herd management and poor environmental conditions were considered risk factors that increased susceptibility to disease. The study of this affliction could be useful for monitoring general herd welfare and ecologic changes in Mediterranean ecosystems.

Periodontal disease and fluoride bone levels in two separate Iberian red deer populations

“…A high prevalence of disease in deer born in this period (deer 5-6 years old in our study) could be explained with reference to the poor nutritional ecology they experienced as calves, which would predispose poor health as adults. Poor climatic conditions and high population density can increase the prevalence of this sort of disease and subsequent chronic oral affectation because the (scarcer) available forage is woody and harder and so becomes wedged and compacted between adjacent teeth, causing initial gum injuries (Azorit et al 2012). The elevated dust levels in periods of drought could also be a contributing factor, above all in siliceous soil which is quite erosive on teeth.…”

Microbiological aspects of osteomyelitis in veterinary medicine: drawing parallels to the infection in human medicine

“…The chronic form of the disease causes bone sclerosis, deformity and mandibular swelling (lumpy jaw). As a consequence of pain and difficulties in chewing feed, low body condition appears and even increased mortality has been demonstrated (Konjević et al 2011 ; Azorit et al 2012 ). Osteomyelitis of the hyoid bones has been described in calves following mandibular injuries (Nuss et al 2015 ).…”

“…Reports in domestic animals are increasing, mainly due to advances in veterinary orthopaedics (Gieling et al 2019 ). Cases are also increasingly described in wildlife (Goertz et al 2011 ; Konjević et al 2011 ; Azorit et al 2012 ; Walker et al 2018 ; Cotts et al 2019 ; Kierdorf et al 2019 ).…”

Praktische Erfahrungen zur Behandlung einer mandibulären Osteomyelitis („lumpy jaw“) mit Gamithromycin bei einem Muntjak

“…Dabei stand das Auftreten mit Tierdichte, Umtreiben und Handling der Tiere, Hygienemängeln sowie Flaschenaufzucht der Kitze in Zusammenhang [21]. Bei Rot-und Damwild in Spanien wurden in Abhängigkeit von den untersuchten Altersgruppen Prävalenzen von 0,36 % bis zu 10,91 % festgestellt, wobei ältere Tiere häufiger von mandibulären Osteomyelitiden betroffen waren als jüngere [3]. Eine Behandlung dieser Krankheit findet bei Cerviden in der Regel nicht statt.…”