L.D. Mech
U.S. Seal
G. D. DelGiudice
1994
<div id="9830252" class="article-section-wrapper js-article-section js-content-section " data-section-parent-id="0"><p>We examined the effect of progressive nutritional restriction on acid-base balance in seven captive, adult white-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) from 4 February to 5 May 1988 in north central Minnesota (USA). Metabolic acidosis was indicated by low mean blood pH (7.25 to 7.33) in deer throughout the study. Mean urinary pH values declined (<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.020) from a mean (±SE) baseline of 8.3 ± 0.1 to 6.7 ± 0.3 as restriction progressed. Acidemia and aciduria were associated with significant variations in mean blood CO<sub>2</sub><span> </span>(<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.006) and pO<sub>2</sub><span> </span>(<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.032), serum potassium (<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.004) concentrations, and with a significant (<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.104) handling date × group interaction in urinary potassium : creatinine values. Mean bicarbonate : carbonic acid ratios were consistently below 20:1 during nutritional restriction. Mean packed cell volume increased (<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.019) and serum total protein decreased (<i>P</i><span> </span>= 0.001); thus there was evidence for progressive dehydration and net protein catabolism, respectively. Blood pCO<sub>2</sub>, serum sodium, and urinary sodium : creatinine were stable throughout the study. We propose that acidosis and aciduria are metabolic complications associated with nutritional restriction of white-tailed deer.</p></div>
application/pdf
10.7589/0090-3558-30.2.247
en
Wildlife Disease Association
Nutritional restriction and acid-base balance in white-tailed deer
article