The Cause of Most Common Antler Abnormality is Not a Fracture But an Osteomyelitis Like Disease the Pedunculitis Chronica Deformans
Climate change is increasing the incidence of certain diseases in wildlife, offering a deeper understanding of their underlying causes. Traditionally, the most common antler abnormalities have been attributed to trauma, based on their morphology. However, this explanation does not account for the epidemic-like spread of abnormalities in specific regions, suggesting that they might be a previously undescribed aspect of this anomaly. In fallow deer (Dama dama), using advanced medical diagnostic tools, we identified an osteomyelitis-like condition, Pedunculitis Chronica Deformans (PCD) which is also observed in other Cervidae. The incidence of this disease shows a strong correlation with the production of mycotoxins by molds that are becoming more prevalent with global warming. Mycotoxins can inhibit wound healing through scar formation after the antlers are cast, leading to the development of PCD. In this report we characterize PCD pathomorphology and introduce a scoring system to differentiate it from other deformities. Moreover, we argue that the most common anomalies such as fractures, antler losses, fatal meningoencephalitis and brain abscesses are complications of PCD. Our research underscores the potential of antlers to serve as biomarkers for mycotoxin exposure.