Urine sampling techniques for captive white-tailed deer.

Three urine sampling techniques were employed in nutritional experiments with captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Urethral catheterization permitted successful urine collection from females. Furosemide induced urination in male fawns 36.4 +/- 3.1 min (SE) after injection. Significant (P less than 0.05) variation in the responses of individual fawns to this drug were detected. Xylazine hydrochloride induced urination in adult males 91.8 +/- 4.7 min after injection. Significant (P less than 0.01) differences in responses to this drug were detected among individual deer and sample months. The applicability of these urine sampling techniques is discussed.