Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Pathology. www.bjvp.org.br . All rights reserved 2007-2021. Siddiq et al.; An unusual large polythene bezoar in the rumen of a fallow deer (Dama dama) Braz J Vet Pathol, 2021, 14(1), 56 – 60 DOI: 10.24070/bjvp.1983-0246.v14i1p56-60 56 Case Report An unusual large polythene bezoar in the rumen of a fallow deer (Dama dama): Hafz Muhammad Usman Siddiq 1 *, Muhammad Tahir Amjad 2 , Shahid Jaleel 2 , Syed Manuchahar Ali 2 , Kamran Rafque 3 , Muhammad Kashif 4 1 Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, 2 Riyadh Zoological Garden, Al Malaz Ar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3 Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan, 4 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan *Corresponding author: Hafz Muhammad Usman Siddiq. Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan email: usmansiddiq923@yahoo.com Submitted November, 3 th 2020, Accepted January, 18 th 2021 Abstract Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies in both domestic and wild ruminants are very common. Indigestible foreign materials can be ingested during free range grazing or under captivity in zoos or game parks. There are different types of bezoars in literature. The most common in animals are phytobezoars, trichobezoars, lactobezoars, phytotrichobezoars, lithobezoars or pharmacobezoars. This is a case study of an adult (4 years old), 40 kg body weight female Fallow Deer (Dama dama) which was reared with other four more Fallow Deer does at Riyadh Zoological Garden. The doe was found sluggish and weak. On presentation the veterinarian of the zoo noticed the anorexia, pale mucous membranes and dullness. There was Normocytic Normochromic anaemia, low RBCs and Haematocrit level, high neutrophil count and leucocytosis. The doe was subjected to medicinal and supportive therapy but she could not recover and found dead on very next day. On post-mortem examination, an unusual large polythene bezoar along with calcifed stony mass recovered from the rumen. The results suggested that the rumen impaction in the Fallow Deer might be due scavenging on refused Plastic dumps in the premises left over by visitors to the zoo and that the blood biochemical alterations, alongside clinical signs, might be of some diagnostic assistance. Key words: Fallow deer, polythene bezoar, rumen, zoo animals. Introduction Many species including humans, pets, ruminants and wild animals have been reported as facing complications of foreign bodies (bezoars) at different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract (8). The word bezoar is originated from Arabic “badzehr” meaning an antidote for poisons. In old times, bezoars recovered from goat were considered as having heeling properties from medicinal perspective (3). Depending on the nature of content in the gastrointestinal tract, there are different types of bezoars including phytobezoars, trichobezoars, lithobezoars, phytotrichobezoars, lactobezoars and pharmcobezoars (13). In ruminants, it is observed that due to fbers or trace elements defciency (copper, cobalt, zinc, calcium, phosphorus as well as vitamin and protein defciency) an unusual behavior called trichophagia could be observed. This behavior is associated with continuous suckling of congeners or excessive licking of skin due to lice or mange infestation. Fallow Deer are widely living as natural or naturalized wild ruminant populations. Furthermore, they can also be found in game parks and zoos (4). Although both domestic and wild ruminants have different apprehension than bovines, they have tendency to ingest indigestible foreign materials like plastic slings and bags that may become an advent of bezoars formation alongside of undigested nutrients (15). The ingestion of plastic materials may conglomerate with undigested plant fbers or hairs and accumulate in rumen and abomasum. Under the induction of ruminal and abomasal movements, various conglomerates