Infectious keratoconjunctivitis in semi-domesticated reindeer - a questionnaire-based study among reindeer herders in Norway and Sweden

Author:

Philippot Karin Wallin1,Baron Jerome1,Romano Javier Sánchez2,Rautiainen Heidi3,Frössling Jenny1,Nymo Ingebjørg Helena4,Persson Ylva1,Omazic Anna1ORCID,Tryland Morten5

Affiliation:

1. National Veterinary Institute: Statens Veterinarmedicinska Anstalt

2. University of Tromsø: UiT Norges arktiske universitet

3. Swedish University of Agricultural Science Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science: Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet Veterinarmedicin och husdjursvetenskap

4. Norwegian Veterinary Institute: Veterinaerinstituttet

5. Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences: Hogskolen i Innlandet

Abstract

Abstract Background The effects of climate change, loss of pastureland to other land usage and presence of large carnivores are the main reasons for the increase in supplementary feeding of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Fennoscandia over the last decades. Feeding might expose reindeer to stress and increased animal-to-animal contact, leading to an increased risk of infectious disease transmission, like infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC). As it can develop rapidly and be very painful, IKC is described as an important animal welfare concern and a potential source of economic loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the current presence of IKC and potential associations between IKC and supplementary feeding through an online questionnaire survey, distributed among reindeer herders in Norway and Sweden in 2021.Results: Infectious keratoconjunctivitis was common, with 54 (71%) of the 76 herders that responded having observed clinical signs during the past 10 years. These signs were mainly observed as increased lacrimation, causing “wet cheeks”, but also as keratitis and conjunctivitis. Winter, followed by autumn, were the seasons in which IKC was observed most. The herders reported several measures, such as slaughter and isolation of affected reindeer, to counteract the spread of disease. The herding year 2019/2020 was associated with reports of outbreaks of IKC in herds as well as being the herding year where most herders (80%) had performed supplementary feeding. A significant association was found between IKC and feeding performed in an enclosure (odds ratio = 15.20), while feeding on free range areas had a non-significant, negative, relationship with the appearance of IKC outbreaks (odds ratio = 0.29). Finally, there was a trend in the data suggesting that IKC affected calves especially.Conclusions: Infectious keratoconjunctivitis is a common disease, mainly observed in winter and autumn. It has mild to moderately severe clinical signs. Our results imply that IKC is associated with stress and feeding situations and that calves might be more susceptible than adults, however, this needs to be confirmed with further studies, preferably on an individual animal level.

Publisher

Research Square Platform LLC

Reference38 articles.

1. Climate change and reindeer management in Finland: Co-analysis of practitioner knowledge and meteorological data for better adaptation;Sirpa R;Sci Total Environ,2020

2. Spreading or gathering? Can traditional knowledge be a resource to tackle reindeer diseases associated with climate change?;Riseth J;Int J Environ Res Public Health,2020

3. Pasture access and adaptive capacity in reindeer herding districts in Nordland, Northern Norway;Risvoll C;Polar J,2016

4. Changes in winter warming events in the Nordic Arctic region;Vikhamar-Schuler D;J Clim,2016

5. Moen J. Climate Change: Effects on the ecological basis for reindeer husbandry in Sweden.AMBIO: A J. of the Human Environment. 2008; doi:10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[304:CCEOTE]2.0.CO;2.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3