In the fall of 2000, Dr. John Berezowski of the Western College
of Veterinary Medicine (Saskatoon, Canada) sent out a survey to
identify what diseases affect the deer industry in Canada and
the United States. Some 167 deer/elk farmers (32% of the total
sample) and 8 veterinary labs returned the surveys. The total
numbers of deer/elk upon which the results are based was
approximately 5,200. The study found the following death rates -
22% among fawns, 5% among yearlings and 4% among adults. Deaths
occurred during birthing - 2.9% among adult does, 2.2% among
yearlings and 27% in assisted births. Assistance is necessary
during problem births, so it should be expected that there will
be some mortality. The study found that fawn survival rates were
89% to one month, 82% to weaning and 78% to one year of age.
When fawns die, some 49% do so within the first month. From a
production standpoint, care for fawns during their first month
is critical to ensure high survival rates. According to this
study, there were two ma