What are the signs of CWD in deer?
A. CWD attacks the brains of infected deer and elk, causing the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose bodily functions, and die. Signs identified in captive deer include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, progressive weight loss, excessive thirst and urination, listlessness, teeth grinding, holding the head in a lowered position, and drooping ears. Many of these signs can also be caused by other diseases known in Wisconsin deer, such as Cranial Abscessation Syndrome, a bacterial disease of the brain, or by malnutrition. CWD is a slowly progressive disease. Most animals do not show signs of the disease until they are 15 to 35 months old; some may be as old as 13 years.
