Deer Cutaneous Fibroma The only visible sign of cutaneous fibroma in white-tailed deer are fleshy wart-like growths on the skin, that are likely caused by biting insects. These growths can vary to individual growths or clusters of warts. These warts can also vary in size from small to very large. Because these growths are only attached to the skin, not to the underlying muscle and bone, they actually have no physical effects to the deer itself. These tumors or warts may however impair the ability to see, eat, or run if they are large enough to inhibit normal behavior. Deer with these growths can still be in perfect health and will show no symptoms of ill health. The transmission of Cutaneous Fibromas is caused by a microscopic parasite that is transmitted to White-tailed deer through a variety of insect bites or by a White-tailed deer coming in contact with any contaminated object that scratches or penetrates the skin of the deer. (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks) This disease is temporary and only lasts about two months, and appears after about 7 weeks after inoculation of the virus. Cutaneous Fibromas are not transmittable to other livestock or humans if the deer is consumed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitetail_Deer_Cutaneous_Fibroma
Ugh, I would not be eating that deer. I don't care what that article says about not being transmittable with consumption.
On the end of the tail?!? Are you kidding me?!? I didn't realize there was even flesh that far out on the tail, lol.
If the article says he will recover then great. But if saw that in the woods, never hearing of it before, I might shoot him, thinking I was being merciful and ending his suffering. I can't say I would eat him though.
I've never had any deer with the fleshy looking light colored ones but I've had a few with black quarter sized growths and they do indeed eventually disappear. At least all of the one's I've had on camera have never gotten worse, I have seen a few deer in pics that were put down due to the severity of it though.
