vet-toon: Trypanosomosis in a Deer

Trypanosomosis is an acute/chronic form of disease caused by protozoan parasites of genus Trypanosoma, effecting both ruminants and non-ruminants. The parasites are characterized by the presence of flagellum and a kinetoplast. Transmissions is by the bite of infected dipterous flies (e.g : Tabanus, Stomoxys, Chrysops) and vampire bats (Nurlaini, 2007). 

Trypanosomosis is considered endemic to south-east asia where the disease is common to cattle and buffaloes. Even through, deer are susceptible to trypanosomosis, report of the disease in deer are not common. The increase in host range from domestic to wild ungulates as a result of the parasite’s vector diversity and feeding habit of the said vectors (Tabanus and Stomoxys). Thus, this report showed the dynamics of the disease among ruminant animals and change in the course of the disease from chronic to acute resulting in a great economic loss (Abdullah et al., 2014). 

Diagnosis. The deer was physically diagnoses with clinical signs of depression, lethargy, teeth grinding, pallor of mucous membranes, the vital parameter showed pyrexia, increase in pulse and respiratory rates. Laboratory examination of the buffy coat by micro haematocrit centrifugation technique revealed the presence of motile flagellates. Buffy coat smear examination confirmed the presence of Trypanosome spp. Haematological parameters revealed low PCV indicates anemia. RBC parameters revealed microcytic normochromic anemia suggestive of iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic blood loss. There was lymphocytosis due to parasitic infection. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical sign and laboratory finding (Abdullah et al., 2014). 

Treatment. A single deep intramuscular injection of Diminazene Aceturate at a dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight was administered as an antiprotozoal agent yielded a positive result in clearing the blood for parasitaemia. Other supportive therapies administered were piroxicam injection at dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly, for 3 days. Multi-vitamin injection was administered at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight, for 5 days and fluid therapy (5% dextrose) to expand the blood volume. The deer responded well to the treatment (Abdullah et al., 2014). 

This report shows the significance of wild ruminants in maintaining the transmission cycle of this parasite and timely treatment could resolve the disease condition (Abdullah et al., 2014). 

References: 

Abdullah, F.F.J., Mohammed, K., Shahudin, M.S., Osman, A.Y., Abba, Y., Tijjani, A., Roslim,N., Awang, D.N., Saharee, A.A., Saad, M., and Haron, A.W., 2014. Trypanosomosis in a Sambar Deer. IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 7(1):19-21. 

Nurulaini, R., Jamnah, O., Adnan, M., Zaini, C.M., Khadijah, S., Rafiah, A., and Chandrawathani, P., 2007. Mortality of domesticated java deer attributed to surra.