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| Risk Factor |
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Most commonly observed in wild deer and moose (Alces alces)
(Cervidae), and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis).
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Similar lesions found in domestic animals are
referred to as laminitis,
“founder” or “slipper-foot”.
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Not often associated with
underlying systemic disease, but can be related to:
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toxicity;
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nutritional deficiency;
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recurrent laminitis;
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ergot toxicity;
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fescue toxicity;
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severe copper or selenium
deficiency;
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other infectious
and toxic causes that may induce disease in blood vessels
(vasculopathy) in the distal limbs.
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A genetic cause may be
considered as a remote possibility.
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| Images |
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Click on
images to enlarge. |
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Malformed feet in
free-ranging cervids. |
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| Signs and Symptoms |
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Mild to severe overgrowth and marked deformity of hooves in
cervids
and bighorn sheep.
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| Meat Edible? |
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Discounting other disease conditions, meat from deer or sheep with
abnormal foot development is considered just as edible as that from
animals with normal feet.
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| Human Health Concerns and
Risk Reduction |
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There are no public health concerns associated with free-ranging cervids
or bighorn sheep that have abnormal feet.
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Photos of feet showing abnormal growth or appearance can be submitted
to the nearest branch of the
British Columbia
Conservation Officer Service.
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| Samples for Diagnosis |
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Fresh, intact feet from affected animals.
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| Further Reading |
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