A case of cerebral setariosis in red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus)

Abnormal behavior pattern and flight reaction were recorded from a six year old male red deer near a small village in Tyrol. The obviously sick animal showed clinical central nervous symptoms such as incoordination of movements. The animal was shot and a post mortem examination performed. Pathological findings of the brain revealed a severe hydrocephalus. The right ventricle was enlarged and contained an extreme amount of fluid. In the cerebrospinal fluid three nematodes could be detected. Few more specimens were also found in the subarachnoidal space. The parasites were identified as Setaria cervi Histopathological examinations of the brain and meninges revealed multiple focal inflammation surrounded by deposits of pigments which had been caused by the parasites.