[The occurrence of intestinal parasites of roe deer and red deer in the Western Pomerania voivodeship].

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to establish the parasite prevalence of roe deer and red deer in Western Pomerania.

METHODS

The prevalence of the Coccidia and gastro-intestinal nematodes infection were determined by means of the Willis-Schlaaf necropsy method. The species composition of Eimeria was determined based on morphology of oocysts (shape, colour, form index, presence or absence of micropyle and its cap, presence or absence of residual, polar- and Stieda bodies), and time of sporulation. Sporulation was performed in a wet chamber at 24-26 degrees C in a 2.5% aqueous solution of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). Fifty red deer and 57 roe deer were biopsied.

RESULTS

Oocysts of the genus Eimeria were found in 52.07% roe deer and 74.57% red deer. Four coccidia species in roe deer (E. capreoli, E. panda, E. rotunda, and E. ponderosa) and two coccidia species in red deer (E. sordida, and E. elaphi) were found. 100% of roe deer and 47.82% of red deer were infected with gastro-intestinal nematodes. The following nematode species were found in the alimentary tracts: Spiculopteragia boehmi, Ostertagia kolchida, Ostertagia leptospicularis, Haemonchus contortus, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Nematodirus sp., Trichocephalus ovis, and Capillaria bovis.