Seasonal variations in physiological indices of adult female white-tailed deer in Texas

Seasonal variations in blood chemistry, urine chemistry, fat reserves, and crude protein levels of rumen contents were determined for free-ranging adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) in central Texas. Seasonal variations (P less than 0.05) existed for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratios, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, phosphorus, and sodium; and urinary urea/creatinine (U/C) ratios, rumen crude protein, the kidney fat index (KFI), femur marrow fat (FMF), and dressed weights. Variations in BUN, urinary U/C ratios, dressed weights, KFI, and FMF were attributed partially to the nutritional demands of late gestation and lactation.     

Reversal by tolazoline hydrochloride of xylazine hydrochloride-ketamine hydrochloride immobilizations in free-ranging desert mule deer

We captured 10 free-ranging desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) (five males and five females) by net-gun from a helicopter and immobilized them with xylazine hydrochloride (HCl) (100 mg) and ketamine HCl (300 to 400 mg) injected intramuscularly. Arousal and ambulation times were 13.9 +/- 4.2 and 14.3 +/- 4.2 min in eight deer injected intravenously with tolazoline HCl (3.0 mg/kg). We observed a curvilinear relationship (R = 0.50, P less than 0.01) between rectal temperature and time after induction of anesthesia. Mean peak temperature (41.4 C) occurred at 23.7 +/- 3.2 min postinduction and was greater (P less than 0.01) than the mean temperature measured initially (40.8 C). Heart and respiratory rates (108 beats/min and 75 breaths/min) were elevated prior to immobilization. Mean heart rate increased (P less than 0.05) from 90 +/- 9 beats/min in anesthetized deer to 120 +/- 13 beats/min after tolazoline HCl injection. A 20% capture-related mortality rate suggests this combination of physical and chemical capture has serious limitations. Captive deer permitted to recover from xylazine HCl-ketamine HCl immobilization without a reversal agent were able to walk in 290 +/- 79 min.     

Immobilization of mule deer with thiafentanil (A-3080) or thiafentanil plus xylazine

We evaluated thiafentanil oxalate (A-3080) for the immobilization of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) under laboratory and field conditions. In a crossover experiment comparing recommended (0.1 mg/kg) and 2x recommended thiafentanil doses in captive deer, both produced rapid induction and immobilization. Mean induction was shorter (P = 0.013) for the 2x group (1.9 vs. 3 min); mean reversals for both groups were rapid (recommended = 0.9 min after naltrexone injection; 2x = 1 min) and did not differ (P = 0.29). Six free-ranging mule deer were immobilized with 7 mg thiafentanil and four with 10 mg; mean induction was 2.3 min for both groups (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7 mg, 1.2-3.4; 10 mg, 1.9-2.8), and mean reversal was <1 min for both groups. Of 165 free-ranging deer darted with various combinations of thiafentanil and xylazine, we successfully immobilized 148 (90%). Mean induction ranged from 2.1 to 4.9 min for different drug combinations. Reversals were not compared because naltrexone and yohimbine doses varied, but overall mean reversal was 1.9 min (95% CI, 1.7-2.1 min) after injection of naltrexone and yohimbine intravenously (i.v.); naltrexone:thiafentanil ratios ranging from 10:1 to 43:1 provided mean recoveries ranging from 1.5 to 2.3 min. All 25 deer fitted with radio collars were alive at 30 days postcapture. On the basis of overall reliability and effectiveness, drug volumes, and ease of handling drugged animals, we recommend using a combination of 10-12 mg thiafentanil (0.15-0.2 mg/kg) and 100 mg xylazine to immobilize mule deer; immobilization can be effectively reversed with 100 mg naltrexone or more and 15 mg yohimbine or more i.v. Where feasible, we also recommend the use of transmitter darts when immobilizing mule deer with opioids in order to maximize recovery of darted deer and to ensure that missed darts are found.     

Xylazine and ketamine-induced glycosuria in white-tailed deer

This study documents glycosuria effects of xylazine and ketamine in eight captive and 19 free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from January to April 1985. Mean urinary glucose:creatinine ratios in two groups of deer fed high protein-high energy and low protein-low energy diets and in free-ranging deer were 1,000, 719, and 259, respectively. Glucose did not occur in urine of deer immobilized by physical restraint. Glucose:creatinine increased with the time interval between xylazine injection and urine collection in the two groups of captive deer.     

The Apache Longbow–Hellfire Missile Test at Yuma Proving Ground: Ecological Risk Assessment for Helicopter Overflight

A multi-stressor risk assessment was conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, as a demonstration of the Military Ecological Risk Assessment Framework. The focus of the assessment was a testing program at Cibola Range, which involved an Apache Longbow helicopter firing Hellfire missiles at moving targets, that is, M60-A1 tanks. This article focuses on the wildlife risk assessment for the helicopter overflight. The primary stressors were sound and the view of the aircraft. Exposure to desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) was quantified using Air Force sound contour programs NOISEMAP and MR_NMAP, which gave very different results. Slant distance from helicopters to deer was also used as a measure of exposure that integrated risk from sound and view of the aircraft. Exposure-response models for the characterization of effects consisted of behavioral thresholds in sound exposure level or maximum sound level units or slant distance. Available sound thresholds were limited for desert mule deer, but a distribution of slant-distance thresholds was available for ungulates. The risk characterization used a weight-of-evidence approach and concluded that risk to mule deer behavior from the Apache overflight is uncertain, but that no risk to mule deer abundance and reproduction is expected.     

The Apache Longbow–Hellfire Missile Test at Yuma Proving Ground: Ecological Risk Assessment for Missile Firing

A multiple stressor risk assessment was conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, as a demonstration of the Military Ecological Risk Assessment Framework. The focus was a testing program at Cibola Range, which involved an Apache Longbow helicopter firing Hellfire missiles at moving targets, that is, M60-A1 tanks. This article describes the ecological risk assessment for the missile launch and detonation. The primary stressor associated with this activity was sound. Other minor stressors included the detonation impact, shrapnel, and fire. Exposure to desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) was quantified using the Army sound contour program BNOISE2, as well as distances from the explosion to deer. Few effects data were available from related studies. Exposure-response models for the characterization of effects consisted of human “disturbance” and hearing damage thresholds in units of C-weighted decibels (sound exposure level) and a distance-based No-Observed-Adverse-Effects Level for moose and cannonfire. The risk characterization used a weight-of-evidence approach and concluded that risk to mule deer behavior from the missile firing was likely for a negligible number of deer, but that no risk to mule deer abundance and reproduction is expected.     

Epidemiology of chronic wasting disease in captive white-tailed and mule deer

The natural occurrence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a 1993 cohort of captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) afforded the opportunity to describe epidemic dynamics in this species and to compare dynamics with those seen in contemporary cohorts of captive mule deer (O. hemionus) also infected with CWD. The overall incidence of clinical CWD in white-tailed deer was 82% (nine of 11) among individuals that survived >15 mo. Affected white-tailed deer died or were killed because of terminal CWD at age 49-76 mo (x = 59.6 mo, SE = 3.9 mo). Epidemic dynamics of CWD in captive white-tailed deer were similar to dynamics in mule deer cohorts. Incidence of clinical CWD was 57% (4/7) among hand-raised (HR) and 67% (4/6) among dam-raised (DR) mule deer; affected HR mule deer succumbed at 64-86 mo of age (x = 72 mo; SE = 5 mo), and affected DR mule deer died at age 31-58 mo (x = 41.3 mo; SE = 6.1 mo). Sustained horizontal transmission of CWD most plausibly explained epidemic dynamics, but the original source of exposures could not be determined. Apparent differences in mean age at CWD-caused death among these cohorts may be attributable to differences in the timing or intensity of exposure to CWD, and these factors appear to be more likely to influence epidemic dynamics than species differences. It follows that CWD epidemic dynamics in sympatric, free-ranging white-tailed and mule deer sharing habitats in western North American ranges also may be similar.     

不同剂量阿霉素致大鼠局灶节段硬化肾病模型的建立比较

目的探讨不同剂量阿霉素对大鼠局灶节段硬化肾病模型的影响。方法左侧肾切除加尾静脉注射不同剂量阿霉素致大鼠肾脏局灶节段性硬化,观察不同剂量阿霉素对模型大鼠成活率、24 h尿蛋白定量、血清肌酐、尿素氮、肾脏病理的影响。结果不同阿霉素注射剂量组大鼠4周、8周成活率随着注射剂量的升高呈逐渐下降趋势,且4周、8周时阿霉素注射剂量4.5～6 mg/kg组模型大鼠成活率均低于50%;8周时成活率与注射剂量呈高度显著性负相关（r=0.9045,P〈0.01）。各阿霉素注射剂量组于1周出现尿蛋白明显升高（P〈0.01）、2周出现血清肌酐明显升高（P〈0.01）、4周出现血清尿素氮明显升高（P〈0.01）,并均呈进行性增高,2周时除3 mg/kg组外,其余各组血清尿素氮较正常组高（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）;8周时各注射剂量组大鼠24 h尿蛋白定量、血清肌酐、血清尿素氮与阿霉素注射剂量呈高度显著性正相关（r=0.942 9,P〈0.01;r=0.938 4,P〈0.01;r=0.956 8,P〈0.01）。各组大鼠肾脏病理均提示肾小球出现局灶节段硬化表现,且硬化程度随注射剂量的增加而呈加重趋势。结论阿霉素尾静脉注射剂量3 mg/kg模型组大鼠死亡率低,同时大鼠肾脏病理又能表现出符合人类肾小球局灶节段硬化的改变,是较为理想的造模剂量。     

Effectiveness of Partial Sedation to Reduce Stress in Captured Mule Deer

Information garnered from the capture and handling of free-ranging animals helps advance understanding of wildlife ecology and can aid in decisions on wildlife management. Unfortunately, animals may experience increased levels of stress, injuries, and death resulting from captures (e.g., exertional myopathy, trauma). Partial sedation is a technique proposed to alleviate stress in animals during capture, yet efficacy of partial sedation for reducing stress and promoting survival post-capture remains unclear. We evaluated the effects of partial sedation on physiological, biochemical, and behavioral indicators of acute stress and probability of survival post-capture for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) that were captured via helicopter net-gunning in the eastern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming, USA. We administered 10–30 mg of midazolam and 15 mg of azaperone intramuscularly (IM) to 32 mule deer in 2016 and 53 mule deer in 2017, and maintained a control group (captured but not sedated) of 38 mule deer in 2016 and 54 mule deer in 2017. To evaluate indicators of acute stress, we measured heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiration rate, and levels of serum cortisol. We recorded number of kicks and vocalizations of deer during handling and evaluated behavior during release. We also measured levels of fecal glucocorticoids as an indicator of baseline stress. Midazolam and azaperone did not reduce physiological, biochemical, or behavioral indicators of acute stress or influence probability of survival post-capture. Mule deer that were administered midazolam and azaperone, however, were more likely to hesitate, stumble or fall, and walk during release compared with individuals in the control group, which were more likely to trot, stot, or run without stumbling or falling. Our findings suggest that midazolam (10–30 mg IM) and azaperone (15 mg IM) may not yield physiological or demographic benefits for captured mule deer as previously assumed and may pose adverse effects that can complicate safety for captured animals, including drug-induced lethargy. Although we failed to find efficacy of midazolam and azaperone as a method for reducing stress in captured mule deer, the efficacy of midazolam and azaperone or other combinations of partial sedatives in reducing stress may depend on the dose of tranquilizer, study animal, capture setting, and how stress is defined. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.     

Malignant catarrhal fever associated with ovine herpesvirus-2 in free-ranging mule deer in Colorado

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) was diagnosed in four free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in January and February of 2003. Diagnosis was based on typical histologic lesions of lymphocytic vasculitis and PCR identification of ovine herpesvirus-2 (OHV-2) viral genetic sequences in formalin-fixed tissues. The animals were from the Uncompahgre Plateau of southwestern Colorado. Deer from these herds occasionally resided in close proximity to domestic sheep (Ovis aries), the reservoir host of OHV-2, in agricultural valleys adjacent to their winter range. These cases indicate that fatal OHV-2 associated MCF can occur in free-ranging mule deer exposed to domestic sheep that overlap their range.     

Response of urinary hydroxyproline to dietary protein and fasting in white-tailed deer

The effects of dietary protein, fasting, and refeeding on urinary hydroxyproline of nine captive female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were examined from 23 February to 3 May 1984 in northern Minnesota. In the fasted group, mean hydroxyproline:creatinine (OHP:C) was greater (P less than 0.05) at week 4 compared to baseline at week 0. Between fasted deer and deer fed high protein-high energy (HPHE) and low protein-high energy (LPHE) diets, no difference in OHP:C ratios was detected during the initial 4 wk of the study. Urinary OHP:C ratios were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in the fasted group during refeeding, concomitant with greater feed consumption and weight gain. There was also a significant (P less than 0.02) time effect in the fasted-refed group; OHP:C ratios increased during these two phases of the study. There was no difference between the HPHE and LPHE fed deer in renal OHP excretion. However, mean OHP:C ratios in yearlings (16.8 +/- 2.2) were greater (P less than 0.001) than in the adults (7.5 +/- 1.2) of those groups, indicating a higher collagen turnover rate. Urinary OHP:C shows potential as an indicator of growth and starvation, and the data presented may serve as reference values.     

Viruses isolated from captive and free-ranging wild ruminants in Alberta.

Nasal secretions, leukocytes and preputial or vaginal swabs from a group of 15 captive wild ruminants, comprising six pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), seven fallow deer (Dama dama) and two mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and from 50 free-ranging pronghorns in southern Alberta, were examined for viral agents. Captive animals were given injections of dexamethasone daily for 6 days in attempts to reactivate latent infections. Specimens were collected at 2-3 day intervals from days 0 to 18. Free-ranging pronghorns were sampled only once, at the time of capture. Fifteen viral isolates were obtained from the animals: six isolates of parainfluenza 3 (PI3) from nasal swabs from one fallow deer and one mule deer; five isolates of herpesvirus from leukocytes, vaginal, preputial and nasal swabs from three fallow deer; and four isolates of PI3 from nasal secretions of the 50 free-ranging pronghorns.     

Hepatic minerals of white-tailed and mule deer in the southern Black Hills, South Dakota

Because there is a paucity of information on the mineral requirements of free-ranging deer, data are needed from clinically healthy deer to provide a basis for the diagnosis of mineral deficiencies. To our knowledge, no reports are available on baseline hepatic mineral concentrations from sympatric white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) using different habitats in the Northern Great Plains. We assessed variation in hepatic minerals of female white-tailed deer (n = 42) and mule deer (n = 41). Deer were collected in February and August 2002 and 2003 from study areas in Custer and Pennington Counties, South Dakota, in and adjacent to a wildfire burn. Hepatic samples were tested for levels (parts per million; ppm) of aluminum (Al), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), selenium (Se), sodium (Na), sulfur (S), thalium (Tl), and zinc (Zn). We predicted that variability in element concentrations would occur between burned and unburned habitat due to changes in plant communities and thereby forage availability. We determined that Zn, Cu, and Ba values differed (P 相似文献   

Revisions of Rump Fat and Body Scoring Indices for Deer,Elk, and Moose

Abstract: Because they do not require sacrificing animals, body condition scores (BCS), thickness of rump fat (MAXFAT), and other similar predictors of body fat have advanced estimating nutritional condition of ungulates and their use has proliferated in North America in the last decade. However, initial testing of these predictors was too limited to assess their reliability among diverse habitats, ecotypes, subspecies, and populations across the continent. With data collected from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk (Cervus elaphus), and moose (Alces alces) during initial model development and data collected subsequently from free-ranging mule deer and elk herds across much of the western United States, we evaluated reliability across a broader range of conditions than were initially available. First, to more rigorously test reliability of the MAXFAT index, we evaluated its robustness across the 3 species, using an allometric scaling function to adjust for differences in animal size. We then evaluated MAXFAT, rump body condition score (rBCS), rLIVINDEX (an arithmetic combination of MAXFAT and rBCS), and our new allometrically scaled rump-fat thickness index using data from 815 free-ranging female Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk (C. e. roosevelti and C. e. nelsoni) from 19 populations encompassing 4 geographic regions and 250 free-ranging female mule deer from 7 populations and 2 regions. We tested for effects of subspecies, geographic region, and captive versus free-ranging existence. Rump-fat thickness, when scaled allometrically with body mass, was related to ingesta-free body fat over a 38–522-kg range of body mass (r² = 0.87; P < 0.001), indicating the technique is remarkably robust among at least the 3 cervid species of our analysis. However, we found an underscoring bias with the rBCS for elk that had >12% body fat. This bias translated into a difference between subspecies, because Rocky Mountain elk tended to be fatter than Roosevelt elk in our sample. Effects of observer error with the rBCS also existed for mule deer with moderate to high levels of body fat, and deer body size significantly affected accuracy of the MAXFAT predictor. Our analyses confirm robustness of the rump-fat index for these 3 species but highlight the potential for bias due to differences in body size and to observer error with BCS scoring. We present alternative LIVINDEX equations where potential bias from rBCS and bias due to body size are eliminated or reduced. These modifications improve the accuracy of estimating body fat for projects intended to monitor nutritional status of herds or to evaluate nutrition's influence on population demographics.     

Clinical significance of serum bone Gla protein and urinary gamma-Gla as biochemical markers in primary hyperparathyroidism

The serum bone Gla-protein (BGP) and urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (gamma-Gla) levels were determined in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). The mean serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels were 18.6 +/- 2.34 ng/ml and 65.5 +/- 4.62 nmoles/mgCr, respectively, for the 11 patients with the skeletal type of PHP, 5.13 +/- 0.85 ng/ml and 45.2 +/- 1.33 nmoles/mgCr for the 4 with the chemical type, and 7.91 +/- 2.43 ng/ml and 43.2 +/- 3.47 nmoles/mgCr for the 5 with the renal type. Thus, patients with skeletal-type PHP had significantly higher serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels than those with the other type of PHP. Serum BGP levels had significant positive correlations with serum Ca (r = 0.64, P less than 0.005), serum A1-p (r = 0.77, P less than 0.001) and serum PTH (r = 0.45, P less than 0.005). Urinary gamma-Gla levels also had significant positive correlations with serum Ca (r = 0.50, P less than 0.05), serum A1-p (r = 0.67, P less than 0.005), serum 1,25(OH)2D (r = 0.62, P less than 0.02), and serum BGP (r = 0.72, P less than 0.001). Mineral content in the left radius had significant negative correlations with serum BGP levels (r = -0.73, P less than 0.001) and urinary gamma-Gla levels (r = -0.59, P less than 0.01). As these data show, serum BGP and urinary gamma-Gla levels clearly reflect the abnormal bone metabolism and can therefore be useful biochemical markers in PHP.     

Association of Moraxella ovis with keratoconjunctivitis in mule deer and moose in Wyoming

Six cases of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and moose (Alces alces) in Wyoming (USA) were investigated during fall and winter of 1995 and 1996. Excessive lacrimation, mucopurulent conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal opacity were observed in mule deer. Moose had severe mucopurulent conjunctivitis, keratitis, and corneal ulceration. Hemolytic, non-piliated Moraxella ovis was isolated from two mule deer and two moose. We attempted to reproduce IKC in three mule deer fawns using an isolate of M. ovis from a clinically affected mule deer. These fawns did not develop clinical signs of infection and the bacterium was not reisolated from inoculated deer. Inoculated deer may not have developed clinical signs because deer were not exposed to ultraviolet light or mechanical insult before inoculation. In addition, the isolate used for inoculation may have lost virulence factors through passage, or M. ovis may not have been the primary pathogen responsible for clinical disease in the natural cases of IKC we investigated. The etiology of IKC in free-ranging wild ruminants remains poorly understood.     

Bot fly larvae (Cephenemyia spp., Oestridae) in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Utah

Ninety-nine mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from four Utah counties (Cache, Utah, Sanpete and Sevier) were examined for larvae of Cephenemyia spp. in 1985 and 1986. Numbers of first, second and third stage bot fly instars were related to age, sex, year and geographic location of the mule deer. Fawns and adult deer greater than or equal to 5.5 yr had a significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher intensity (means = 37 and means = 68, respectively) of infection than the 1.5- and 2.5-yr-old age groups (means = 19 and means = 26, respectively). Infection by larvae was not significantly different between sexes. Infection was 100% in both years, but the mean intensity was significantly lower in 1986 (P less than 0.05). The decline may be related to differences in soil moisture between the 2 years. In 1985, 82% of the deer examined were infected with all three instars. Seventy-seven percent of all first instar larvae were observed in the trachea, usually in the fold immediately posterior to the epiglottis and corniculate cartilages. This new site of attachment for first instar larvae has not previously been recognized.     

Ocular plague (Yersinia pestis) in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Wyoming and Oregon

Although plague is relatively rare in wild ungulates, this report describes ocular lesions associated with Yersinia pestis infection in three free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) from Wyoming and Oregon, USA. All deer were observed antemortem and seemed to be blind. Post-mortem examination revealed gross lesions of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis and/or panophthalmitis in the first two deer, but only partial retinal detachment in the third deer. Microscopically, all deer had moderate-to-severe necrotizing and fibrinopurulent endophthalmitis and varying degrees of keratoconjunctivitis with abundant intralesional coccobacilli. The lesions in the first (D1) and third deer (D3) suggested an acute course, whereas those in the second deer (D2) were subacute to chronic. Yersinia pestis was isolated from ocular tissue swabs or ocular fluids of D1 and D2, and it was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry within ocular lesions of D1 and D3. Although plague does not seem to be a major cause of morbidity or mortality in free-ranging mule deer, keratoconjunctivitis or pinkeye is relatively common in these animals and plague should be considered as a differential diagnosis in such cases, with appropriate precautions taken to protect the human and animal health.     

Evaluating Mule Deer Body Condition Using Serum Thyroid Hormone Concentrations

ABSTRACT Body condition of ungulates is a determinant of fecundity and survival rates. Ultrasonography and body condition scoring techniques allow reliable estimation of body fat but may not be feasible to employ in some circumstances. A reliable blood chemistry index for assessing relative condition of different ungulate populations or groups would be useful in ongoing population monitoring programs. We provided a nutrition supplement (treatment) to a group of free-ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during 2 consecutive winters in southwest Colorado. In late February each year, we evaluated whether percent body fat and serum concentrations of total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were higher among treatment deer than an adjacent group of deer that did not receive treatment (control). As a corroborative analysis, we modeled body fat as a function of thyroid hormone concentrations and morphometric variables. Estimated body fat of treatment deer averaged 12.3% (SE = 0.327), whereas estimated body fat of control deer averaged 7.0% (SE = 0.333) during the 2 winters of study. Concentrations of T4 and FT4 averaged 48.07 nanomole/L (SE = 3.80) and 12.61 picomole/L (SE = 1.04) higher, respectively, in treatment deer than control deer. Our optimal model of estimated body fat included T4, T4², FT4, and deer chest girth (%FAT = −4.8015 − 0.0946 × T4 + 0.000603 × T4² + 0.1474 × FT4 + 0.1426 × chest girth, R² = 0.609). Serum thyroid hormones effectively discerned treatment deer from control deer and were related to estimated body fat. Ultrasound and body condition scoring should be used to estimate body fat whenever possible. However, in cases where only a blood sample can be obtained, we documented potential utility of T4 and FT4 during late winter for evaluating relative body condition of mule deer.