Studies in Sarcocystis species. VIII: Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Diaphragmatic muscle from red deer (Cervus elaphus) infected with Sarcocystis was fed to dogs and cats. Dogs produced Sarcocystis sporocysts after 10 days. Thirty sporocysts measured (mean ± SD) 15.9 ± 0.5 x 10.1 ± 0.3 m. The transmission of Sarcocystis to red deer under New Zealand conditions and the potential importance of sarcocystosis to deer farming is discussed. Cats gave rise to Toxoplasma oocysts. This is the first report of toxoplasmosis in deer in New Zealand.