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Internal Parasites
Reindeer suffer from infestations of numerous internal parasites. Larvae of cysticerci tapeworms are often seen in tongue, heart, liver and muscle of reindeer.
Echunococcosis has been reported in most reindeer herds that are in their natural environment. Dogs and predators should be kept away from infected carcasses and from reindeer pastures. This will curtail the spread of these types of parasites and prevent predation.
Nematodes are common in reindeer. The most notable are members of the super families Trichostrongyloidea and Filaroidea which include gastrointestinal and lung species. These nematodes are similar to those observed in domestic stock. These same control methods used for domestic ruminants should be used for reindeer. Cerebrospinal namatodiasis (Elaphostronglylus rangiferei), usually found in Scandinavia, causes paralysis in the reindeer’s hindquarters.
Protozoan parasites are also numerous. Sarcocystis organisms are routinely seen microscopically in the muscles of reindeer. Under most situations they are not a problem but, if massive infection occurs in young animals, the illness can be serious. Coccidiosis is sometimes seen in young reindeer in farm conditions but it can be controlled using standard preventative and therapeutic measures.
Roundworm
Adult roundworms living in the stomach and intestines lay eggs which pass out of the body with the manure. These microscopic eggs hatch and are eaten by other animals as they graze. The immature worms develop into adults in the stomach or intestines and the cycle begins again.
Stomach worms are blood suckers and cause anemia, poor growth and diarrhea. Intestinal worms cause poor growth and diarrhea which may be followed by constipation.
Lungworm
Adult lungworms live in the lungs. After the eggs are laid, they are coughed up and swallowed. Eggs hatch in the intestines then migrate to their homes in the lungs where they live as adults, restarting the cycle. Symptoms include coughing and debilitation which may be a complicating factor in pneumonia. A diagnosis can be made by observing larvae in the feces and necropsy in adult lungs.
Tapeworm
These organisms live in the intestines of animals. They are white, flat and quite long. They attach themselves to the wall of the intestine with hooks or suckers in their head. The adults are made of many sections called segments which contain the eggs. Periodically, some segments break off and are passed with the manure. On the ground, these eggs must be eaten by a mite to develop. If the mite is eaten by the reindeer, the immature tapeworm is carried to the intestines where it will grow and live as an adult. This condition may be debilitating. It can be diagnosed by observing eggs in the feces and necropsy in the adult intestine.
Meneged (Brain) Worm
Caribou are particularly sensitive to infection with the meningeal or brain worm (Parelaphostronglylus tenuis), and it has been implicated in the disappearance of the species from Nova Scotia. Several reintroduction attempts have subsequently failed, most likely due to the presence of white tail deer that also carry the worm.
With an understanding of the life cycles of parasites, you will now be able to take certain control measures. Rotating grazing areas is a good way to lessen the change of your reindeer becoming infected. The cleaner your grazing area, the cleaner your herd will be.
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