HEMATOLOGY AND BIOCHEMICAL REFERENCE INTERVALS AND SEROPREVALENCE OF HEMORRHAGIC DISEASES FOR FREE-RANGING MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS) IN WEST TEXAS

Wildlife species are routinely captured for translocation, general health monitoring, and research-based pursuits to guide wildlife management. Mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) were captured for various research projects and management actions in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions of Texas from 2015 to 2019. The objective of this study was to develop hematologic and biochemical parameters for free-ranging mule deer in Texas and to develop a health monitoring system for current and future mule deer population management. Blood samples were collected from 364 mule deer (male = 81; female = 283) and complete blood counts and serum biochemical profiles were performed by Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. A subset of 263 individuals, deemed healthy based on several inclusion criteria, were used to establish normal reference intervals for the species. The deer were also tested for serologic evidence of previous exposure to bluetongue virus (BTV) and/or epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) to further characterize the health status of the population. Several variables associated with deer capture and/or health status, including the use of anesthetic drugs, elevated body temperature, capture location, and sex, affected mean blood values; however, the development of separate reference intervals by class was not warranted because of the lack of any clinically relevant change. Antibodies to BTV and EHDV were identified in 76% (277/364) and 78% (285/364) of the population, respectively, and 71% (258/364) had antibodies to both diseases. This study provides hematologic and biochemical reference intervals based on a subpopulation of apparently healthy free-ranging mule deer that should guide wildlife managers in decision-making for future conservation and restoration objectives.