Skinny Moose Media Bloggers Continue to Interview

John Stabley, a few days back, reported on the ‘blue tongue’ virus detected in the Illinois white tailed deer population. Of course we all have many questions regarding the virus and how it may impact us and the deer population so John contacted Dr O’Keefe to answer a few of them for us.

John: If someone has livestock, what symptoms should they watch out for?

Dr. O’Keefe: The blue tongue virus has several different varieties in the US there are 2 forms: one that primarily affects white-tailed deer primarily and another that affects primarily affects livestock (mostly cattle). Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) do not die from the virus that affects deer. There have been reports of cattle that have developed excessive salivation or drooling, cloudy nasal discharge, moderate to severe lameness, poor appetite, and a severe drop in milk production in a dairy herd. Beef cattle have been affected as well. The virus causing EHD was isolated from these herds. These signs can mimic other more serious diseases and a veterinarian should be called to make a diagnosis.

Read the entire interview here.

Bryan at deerPhD interviews a Huntin’ Junky’. Apparently he films his own hunting shows. Bryan’s next interview is with Richard Bednar, the CEO of TenPoint Crossbows. Stay tuned.