PREVALENCE OF RENAL UROLITHIASIS IN A LARGE, CAPTIVE WHITE-TAILED DEER HERD

¹ Research Director, Rachelwood Wildlife Research Preserve, R.D. #1, New Florence, Pennsylvania 15944, USA
² Animal Disease Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
³ Department of Veterinary Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA

Prevalence of renal urolithiasis in a large, captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herd was examined over a two-year period of time. In 1973, 1.3% of 225 deer examined had calculi in the renal pelvis and 4.4% had kidney lesions, either independent or in combination with the calculi. In 1974, prevalence increased and 5.9% of 354 deer had calculi and 6.5% had kidney lesions. Calculi and lesions affected all sex and age-classes. Involvement was both unilateral and bilateral with 23.8% having stones in both kidneys and 30.4% having lesions in both kidneys. Lesions and calculi occurred together in 42.8% of cases. Etiology is unknown, but possible relationships are discussed.