Demodectic Mange in a White-Tailed Deer from Walker County, Texas

Authors: Turner, J. C.; Cano, J.

Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 45, Number 3, May 2008 , pp. 572-575(4)

Abstract:

The first documented occurrence of demodectic (Acari: Prostigmata: Demodicidae) mange in white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman, in Texas was diagnosed from deep skin scrapings taken from the neck, shoulders, and withers of a fair-to-poor condition 6 yr-old male deer captured at Elkins Lake (latitude 30° 39′ 27″ N, longitude 95° 32′ 33″ W), Walker County. Approximately 35% of the animal's skin showed effects of the demodicosis, which may have contributed to the animal's body condition. The hematology of the infected deer seemed little altered from mean erythrocyte and leukocyte values of the local deer population, except for an observed eosinophilia (23% increase), which is consistent with an ectoparasitic infection and the concomitant bacterial infection observed. Predicated on host specificity and total body length measurements, Demodex odocoilei Desch & Nutting is probably the parasite collected from the captured white-tailed deer.

Keywords: Demodicidae; demodectic mange; Demodex odocoilei; white-tailed deer; Texas

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