Tick (Dermacentor albipictus)-induced winter hair-loss in captive moose (Alces alces).
Five captive moose calves each infested with 42,000 larval Dermacentor albipictus, six calves each infested with 19,000-21,000, and five control moose were observed for changes in hair-loss, body condition and number, stages, and distribution of the tick. Winter hair-loss was observed only in moose infested with ticks and was correlated positively with the total number of adult ticks. Hair-loss associated with ticks was minimal from October to January, but rapidly increased from February to April when up to 44% of hair had been removed. The pattern of hair-loss was similar in all moose with the neck, shoulders, withers, and perianal areas losing the most hair. Moose with extensive premature hair-loss had less pericardial and abdominal visceral fat than moose with little or no hair-loss.
D000818:Animals; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*