1. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): This is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk. It is caused by a prion, which is a type of infectious protein. CWD can lead to weight loss, decreased coordination, abnormal behavior, and eventually death.
2. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD): EHD is a viral disease that affects deer, elk, and other ruminants. It is caused by various serotypes of the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). EHD can cause high fever, internal bleeding, and death.
3. Bovine Tuberculosis (TB): TB is a bacterial disease that can affect deer and other animals, including humans. It is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs. TB can cause coughing, weight loss, and eventually death.
4. Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of infected ticks. It can cause a range of symptoms in deer, including fever, joint pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis.
5. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect deer and other cloven-hoofed animals. It causes blisters and lesions on the feet and mouth of infected animals, leading to lameness, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
6. Bluetongue: Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by midges. It affects deer, sheep, and cattle. Symptoms include fever, swelling, and erosions on the tongue and mouth, as well as difficulty breathing.
7. Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease that can affect deer. It is often caused by bacteria or viruses and can lead to symptoms like fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
8. Meningeal Worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis): This parasitic disease affects the brain and spinal cord of deer. It is caused by a nematode worm transmitted through white-tailed deer and carried by various snail species. Symptoms can include circling behavior, head tilting, weakness, and paralysis.
9. Nutritional Diseases: Deer can also suffer from nutritional diseases or deficiencies, particularly when their diet lacks essential nutrients. These diseases can lead to a range of symptoms, including weight loss, poor body condition, and decreased reproduction.
It's important to note that the prevalence of these diseases can vary depending on the geographic region, species of deer, and environmental conditions. Ongoing monitoring, research, and management strategies are essential to mitigate the impact of diseases on deer populations.