ABSTRACT
Non-infectious diseases in Rangifer sp. are, in general, rarely described in scientific literature, as they mainly affect individuals and do not affect or threaten the overall populations. If semi-domesticated reindeer are crowded or stressed in handling pens or during loading into transports, it can result in trauma from sharp antler tines. In semi-domesticated reindeer herds, fewer calves are available for predators after slaughtering in the autumn, and the risk of predation of females will therefore increase during winter. Herds of reindeer can be accidentally frightened or chased by predators into areas of steep slopes or cliffs, resulting in falls and mass mortality. Reindeer were especially exposed by grazing lichens, which do not have roots, as they receive water and nutrition, as well as radioactivity, from the air. Seasonal hypomagnesemia has been reported in reindeer in Norway and Sweden. B. Hoff and coworkers reported hypomagnesemia in a reindeer herd connected to a special winter pasture area in Norway.
