Is this deer sick or just molting ?

[Water Rat]

I captured these photos yesterday of some of the deer in my backyard. One looks in bad shape when you consider the condition of it's hair. Her hair has been like this since January. I never see her in the presence of other deer. It just seems a little early to me that they would be shedding their winter coat. All the other deer look healthy and still have their winter coat.

[Lawdwaz]

Looks sick to me......

[SportsmanNH]

My guess is that deer has  Dermatophilosis . Its not fatal in adult deer , but can be fatal to young fawns. It can be caused by mites or lice and will heal itself with better weather and nutrition in the spring .

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/diseases/deer-hair-loss.html#:~:text=Dermatophilosis%2C or rain rot%2C is,crusty scabs%2C and inflamed skin.

 

Edited February 26, 2022 by SportsmanNH

[Lucky118]

Thats one of those trailer park crack does.

[Daveboone]

Looks like it has good weight, but definetly something going on. I would err on caution and avoid having any feed/food, etc. that would attract deer to minimize contact with them.

[Lucky118]

5 hours ago, SportsmanNH said:

My guess is that deer has  Dermatophilosis . Its not fatal in adult deer , but can be fatal to young fawns. It can be caused by mites or lice and will heal itself with better weather and nutrition in the spring .

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/diseases/deer-hair-loss.html#:~:text=Dermatophilosis%2C or rain rot%2C is,crusty scabs%2C and inflamed skin.

 

Saw one last summer that had no hair on  alot of the deer. Looked like one of those naked mole rats.

[G-Man]

Some skin ailment. Fourseasons would know

[Larry]

Maybe it just needs to go to the hairdresser