Veterinary Systemic Pathology Online

I-V02 - Deer fibroma - haired skin - deer

Morphologic Diagnosis:   Haired skin: Fibropapilloma, White-tailed deer, (Odocoileus virginianus), cervid.

General Discussion:

• Cutaneous fibroma or fibropapilloma is one of the most commonly reported tumors of white-tailed deer.
  
• Occurs most frequently in adult deer less than 2.5 years of age.
  
• Greater prevalence in males, most likely due to fighting.
  
• Papillomaviruses are generally species specific.
  
• Papillomavirus is a 50-55 nm diameter, non-enveloped, double stranded DNA virus.
  
• Other cervids as well as moose and caribou are also affected.
  
• Usually an incidental finding
  
  

Typical Clinical Findings:

• Large lesions may interfere with vision, respiration, food intake, or locomotion
• Often spontaneous regression within two months