What is your diagnosis? Blood smear review in a white‐tailed deer

Abstract

| CASE PRESENTATIONA 4-month-old, 17.9-kg intact male, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) presented to the University of Georgia zoological medicine service after being found trapped in a fence. On examination, the distal portion of his right hind limb was missing, and the remaining portion was necrotic. Bruising on his right front limb and abdomen was noted. Numerous dead insects, suspected to be lice/nymphs, were found on his fur. The patient received supportive care and underwent amputation. However, during surgery, the animal declined and could not be resuscitated.Complete blood count results were compatible with inflammation and glucocorticoid-mediated stress. Marked thrombocytopenia was present due to either consumption or sequestration. The serum chemistry revealed moderate azotemia likely multifactorial in origin and a markedly increased creatine kinase indicative of muscle damage. A blood smear was examined (Figure 1).