A retrospective study of the causes of morbidity and mortality in farmed elk (Cervus elaphus).

A survey of North American farmed elk (Cervus elaphus) producers was performed to determine the causes of sickness and mortality in farmed elk and to estimate mortality rates. Records over a 10-year period from 8 North American veterinary diagnostic pathology laboratories were also examined and summarized. The primary diagnosis for each record was used to classify diseases into categories such as parasitic, infectious, toxicological, and neoplastic. Nonspecific trauma was the most frequently reported known cause of mortality in both sexes and all age classes by elk producers. Ranked on perceived economic importance, producers cited trauma, chronic wasting disease, calf scours, dystocia, pneumonia, winter tick, tuberculosis, and grain overload. One-year mortality rates for adults and yearlings were 2.6% and 2.7%, respectively. Mortality rates for male and female adult animals were 2.4% and 2.7%, respectively. In general, the major findings of the survey matched reported causes for mortality provided by elk producers.