Data from: Why is our roe deer short of breath? – Prevalence and promotive factors of lung parasites in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in southeast Germany

The existence of bronchopulmonary nematodes in German roe deer (Capreolus
capreolus) is well documented, with two types of lung parasites that have
been described previously (Dictyocaulus capreolus and Varestrongylus
capreoli). However, little is known about the impact of these parasites on
their host animal or which parameters influence outbreak and intensity of
infection. The aim of this study was to obtain new information on the
relevance of factors such as season, environmental conditions or age, sex,
and body mass of the infected roe deer. To obtain our results, the
respiratory tracts of 762 roe deer from south-eastern Germany were
examined. In the sample, 42.5 % of roe deer were infested with V. capreoli
and 14.0 % with D. capreolus, 51.3 % of animals were completely free of
lung parasites. Testing for influencing variables, our regression models
found both sex and age of the roe deer to statistically influence
infestation, with male sex and younger age correlating with both stronger
infestation and higher infestation rates. Accordingly, in male animals,
the infestation rates with V. capreoli and D. capreolus (45.1 % and 20.1
%) were higher than in females (39.4 % and 8.0 %). The overall infestation
rate of juvenile animals was remarkably higher (73 %) than those
of sub-adults (38.3 %) or adults (28.4 %). Across all
age groups, infested animals showed lower body weights compared to
non-infested animals. According to our multiple linear regression model
Roe deer infected with D. capreolus on average weighed 0.65 kg less than
their healthy counterparts, in case of V. capreoli 0.72 kg less on
average. While the burden on the well-being of infested animals can only
be assumed, these concrete figures (reduced body weight in infested
compared to healthy animals) demonstrate the economic damage lung
parasites cause to meat harvesting from bagged roe deer.