Fibromas
These are proliferative growths caused by infection with papilloma- or poxviruses, largely spread by biting insects. fibromas tend to be darkly pigmented and relatively hairless, and because they are restricted to the skin, have no impact on meat quality.
Abscesses
Sparring is part of the normal behavioral ecology of deer, and with it penetrating wounds which can lead to abscesses. an abscess is a fluid-filled pocket containing purulent material, or pus. pus contains spent white-blood cells, which the immune system mobilizes to fight off infection. abscesses often form following injury to the muscle, but occasionally bucks will sustain wounds to the head leading to brain abscesses. as a general rule of thumb, ruminants are great at walling off infections, so trimming away affected tissue can preserve meat quality.
Foot rot/club foot
As in domestic ruminants, this disease process is often caused by bacterial invasion with fusobacterium sp. following a penetrating injury to the interdigital space. infection causes pain and lameness, and in extreme cases, persistent swelling can lead to a club-like appearance of the hoof or lower limb even after infection has resolved. environmental conditions and contamination of shared paths can facilitate local outbreaks.