Hair loss in whitetail deer presents as noticeable patches of missing fur, often accompanied by changes in skin appearance, such as redness, thickening, or scabbing. This condition, known as alopecia, is not a disease itself but rather a symptom indicating an underlying health issue affecting the deer. The specific appearance and location of hair loss can offer clues about the cause, which can range from external organisms to internal imbalances.
Parasitic Infestations
External parasites are a common cause of hair loss in whitetail deer, with deer keds and mites being frequent culprits. Deer keds, often mistaken for ticks, are wingless flies that feed on the deer’s blood, causing intense irritation. Heavy infestations can lead deer to scratch and rub excessively, resulting in significant hair loss, particularly around the neck, shoulders, and flanks. This constant scratching can also damage the skin, making it susceptible to secondary bacterial infections.
Mites cause a condition known as mange, which can also lead to extensive hair loss. Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, involves mites burrowing into the skin, leading to intense itching, inflammation, and the formation of thick, crusty lesions. The deer’s persistent scratching and rubbing cause the hair to break off or fall out in large patches. Another type, psoroptic mange, caused by Psoroptes ovis, results in similar symptoms, including skin irritation and scabbing.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Inadequate nutrition can significantly impact the health and appearance of a whitetail deer’s coat, sometimes leading to hair loss or a sparse, dull pelage. When deer experience prolonged nutritional stress, their bodies prioritize essential functions over coat maintenance. This can occur during harsh winters or in areas with poor forage quality.
Specific micronutrient deficiencies, such as those involving copper or zinc, are known to affect hair and skin health. Copper is involved in keratin formation; its deficiency can lead to a faded, brittle coat prone to breakage and loss. Zinc plays a role in skin cell regeneration, and insufficient levels can impair skin health, making the coat appear thin or sparse. While nutritional deficiencies may not cause sudden, widespread hair loss like a severe parasitic infestation, chronic undernourishment weakens the deer, making it more vulnerable to other health problems that can affect the coat.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections, such as dermatophytosis, commonly known as ringworm, can also contribute to hair loss in whitetail deer. These infections are caused by fungi that invade the superficial layers of the skin and hair shafts. The characteristic lesions often appear as circular or irregularly shaped patches of hair loss, with scaling, crusting, or scabbing of the affected skin. The skin within these patches may appear reddish or gray and thickened.
Ringworm transmits through direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly through contaminated environmental surfaces. Spores from the fungi can persist in the environment, allowing for transmission between deer. While fungal infections cause localized hair loss rather than widespread alopecia, they can still be a noticeable health concern for individual animals. The irritation and damage to hair follicles caused by the fungal growth directly cause hair shedding.