Enzootic ataxia due to copper deficiency in captive red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Colima, Mexico

The objective of the study was to describe a case of enzootic ataxia in a captive Cervus elaphus (red deer) associated with copper deficiency, in the state of Colima, Mexico. In July and October 2018, two female red deer aged 3 and 7 yr manifested incoordination with weakness of the hind limbs and an anatomopathological diagnosis of progressive ataxia was established. In September 2019, a 13-yr-old female showed nervous signs similar to the 2018 cases, so a blood sample was taken for serum copper measurement. The animal was euthanized for post-mortem examination and tissue samples were collected for histology, liver, kidney, forage and soil samples were also taken for copper and molybdenum measurement. The main lesions were found microscopically in spinal cord, which showed leukomalacia, demyelination, spheroid bodies and neuronal chromatolysis. The copper concentration was 2.7 in liver, 4.67 in kidney and 0.08 in serum (mg/kg DM or ppm). The Cu:Mo ratio for soil 1 was Cu 8.48; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 2.83:1, soil 2: Cu 9.10; Mo 3.00; Cu:Mo 3.03:1. Forage 1: Cu 6.59; Mo 7.35; Cu:Mo 0.90:1; forage 2: Cu 2.77; Mo 6.12 +/- 0.61; Cu:Mo 0.45:1. Clinical signs, microscopic lesions, and low levels of Cu in serum, liver, and forage are consistent with enzootic ataxia due to primary copper deficiency. As far as known, this is the first report of enzootic ataxia in a captive red deer in Mexico.