Observing deer, it’s common to wonder about their health, especially if they appear to be drooling. While some salivation is normal, particularly during feeding, excessive or unusual drooling can signal underlying health issues. Understanding the difference between normal and abnormal drooling is important.
Normal Deer Salivation
Deer are ruminants, possessing a four-chambered stomach system similar to cattle. Their digestive process involves chewing and re-chewing food, known as rumination. During rumination, deer regurgitate partially digested food from the rumen back into their mouths to chew it more thoroughly.
This re-chewing requires significant saliva to lubricate food and aid digestion. Saliva also acts as a buffer against rumen acidity, maintaining a healthy environment for microorganisms. Therefore, observing a deer with clear, minimal drool, especially when actively chewing or resting and appearing healthy, is typically a normal occurrence.
Identifying Abnormal Drooling
Excessive or unusual drooling in deer can be a sign of distress and warrants closer attention. Unlike normal salivation, abnormal drooling might involve large amounts of foamy or thick saliva, or saliva that appears discolored. This constant drooling often occurs regardless of whether the deer is eating or ruminating.
Deer exhibiting abnormal drooling often display other concerning behavioral or physical symptoms. These can include lethargy, lack of awareness of their surroundings, or unusual aggression. Physical signs might involve a noticeable loss of body condition, a dull or unkempt coat, or difficulty swallowing. Neurological impairments such as stumbling, lack of coordination, or a drooping head and ears are also observed alongside excessive drooling.
Causes of Excessive Drooling
Excessive drooling in deer can be attributed to several diseases and conditions:
- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): A neurological disorder caused by prions, CWD leads to progressive body condition loss and behavioral changes. Deer often show excessive salivation, extreme weight loss, lack of coordination, and loss of fear of humans. Symptoms can take months to years to appear.
- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD): A viral disease spread by biting midges, EHD often causes widespread illness and death in deer, particularly in late summer and early fall. Infected deer may exhibit fever, swollen heads or necks, mouth ulcers, and excessive drooling or foaming.
- Rabies: This fatal neurological disease causes excessive salivation due to difficulty swallowing. Infected deer may also show aggression, disorientation, or an unusual lack of fear towards humans.
- Lumpy Jaw: An infection causing swelling in and around the jawbone, leading to eating problems and drooling. This bacterial infection can result from mouth cuts or dental issues, often forming pus-filled lesions.
- Toxic Plants: Ingestion of certain toxic plants can irritate a deer’s mouth and digestive system, causing increased salivation.
- Oral Injuries or Impactions: Injuries or food impactions in the mouth can lead to drooling as the deer struggles to manage oral contents.
Reporting Concerns
If you observe a deer displaying excessive drooling or other signs of illness, it is important to maintain a safe distance and avoid approaching the animal. Attempting to help or handle a sick deer can be dangerous, as some diseases, like rabies, can be transmitted to humans. Your local or state wildlife agencies, game wardens, or animal control are the appropriate contacts for reporting sick or deceased deer.
When reporting, be prepared to provide specific details about the deer’s location, the number of affected animals, and a description of the observed symptoms. Reporting sick deer is important for disease monitoring and helps wildlife authorities track and manage potential health threats to deer populations and public safety.