Archive: February 2017

Skin lesions in a red deer

In October 2016 the cadaver of a red deer stag with extensive damage to the skin of the back was submitted to the DWHC. Investigations revealed a severe chronic-active dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) which was possibly a result of self-trauma due to itchiness caused by the large number of deer keds (biting
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Distemper in a stone marten

Distemper was detected in a stone marten (Martes foina) from the Enschede area in the Dutch province of Overijssel. The animal was seen to be behaving oddly for several days before being found dead in a pond in December 2016.
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Avian pox in a sparrow

At the beginning of January 2017 a sparrow (Passer domesticus) from the area around Soest was submitted to the DWHC. According to the individual who submitted the cadaver, before dying the bird had shown signs of sickness including fluffed up feathers, difficulty with flying, opening and closing the beak and
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Stoat and weasel: DWHC focus species 2017

Two small mustelid species that are found in the Netherlands, the stoat (Mustela erminea) and the weasel (Mustela nivalis), have been chosen as the Dutch Wildlife Health Centre’s focus species for 2017. These species were chosen as relatively little is known about their distribution and disease status in the
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Pigeon canker

Pigeon canker has been found in dead pigeons across the Netherlands. The online register run jointly by the DWHC and Sovon indicates that wood pigeons are most affected.
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