Exertional rhabdomyolysis in a fallow deer (Cervus dama)

The aim of this report was to present a case of exertional rhabdomyolysis in a fallow deer. The diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical and blood laboratory findings. Despite the treatment, the outcome was fatal. Gross anatomy and histopathological examinations were performed, detecting degenerative changes in the heart, skeletal muscles, the kidneys and the liver. On the basis of ante and post mortem findings providing explanations of the pathophysiological mechanism of severe tissue damage - hypoxaemia, severe lactic acidosis, muscle rupture, electrolyte imbalance and renal block, it was concluded that all they have led to the death of the animal.