Intrauterine infection has been described and colostrum can contain higher densities of the organism than milk if the supramammary lymph nodes are infected. The progression and severity of disease is much more rapid than in cattle and bison. Actual clinical symptoms are not typically similar to those observed in cattle or bison. Elk and deer often exhibit pasty feces rather than diarrhea, but otherwise appear normal with the exception of continuous weight loss. However, in outbreak situations, severe bloody diarrhea and rapid death loss would be more typical.
Weight loss coupled with diarrhea is the most prevalent symptom.
However, initial signs can be variable and often vague. Diarrhea may be intermittent and the stool will be pasty and passed without straining. With disease progression, defecation occurs more frequently and the consistency of the manure will deteriorate to watery diarrhea. As the diarrhea becomes more severe, other clinical symptoms emerge. These include, decreasing milk production in lactating females, continuous weight loss and fading hair coat colour.