To investigate diseases and causes of mortality in Swiss farmed deer, deer found dead or shot due to diseased condition between March 2003 and December 2004 were requested for a complete postmortem examination. One hundred and sixty-two animals were submitted. Perinatal mortality, necrobacillosis in 3 week to 6 month old deer, and endoparasitosis in 6 month to 2 year old deer were identified as the most important causes of loss, followed by ruminal acidosis, which was diagnosed in 22% of deer older than 1 year. Congenital malformations were observed in 15% of deer less than 6 months old. Reportable infectious diseases known as major problems in deer farming in other countries were rare (yersiniosis, malignant catarrhal fever) or not observed (tuberculosis, chronic wasting disease). Overall, the results indicate that the Swiss deer population does not present major health problems of concern for domestic animals.

A study of neurological diseases in farmed deer, with emphasis on chronic wasting disease, was conducted during 2 years in Switzerland. Deer breeders were asked to submit the heads of all deer at least 2 years of age, found dead or slaughtered, for examination. A complete histological examination of the brain and immunohistochemical detection of the prion protein on selected regions of the brain and lymphoid tissues were performed on 120 apparently healthy and 40 diseased animals. In a number of cases, a full necropsy was performed. Significant inflammatory and/or degenerative changes were seen in 25% of the brains. No evidence for a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy was established.