Definition:
Chronic wasting disease is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that affects moose, deer and elk. This condition is characterized by chronic weight loss that leads to death. This disease produces lesions in the brains of animals.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made through definitive diagnosis through postmortem exam and testing. There is still no live-animal diagnostic test available.
Treatment:
There is no cure, treatment or vaccination available for chronic wasting disease.
Symptoms and Signs:
Aside from weight loss over time, this disease causes behavioral changes like black facial expressions, decreased interaction with other animals, head lowering, ataxia, listlessness, pneumonia, repetitive walking and coma. Elk develop behavioral changes like nervousness and hyperexcitability. Excessive salivation, increased urination, teeth grinding, increased drinking and decreased interest in hay may also occur.
Causes:
Chronic wasting disease is caused by an agent called prion protein found in the central nervous system, which may spread to the peripheral nervous system.
