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Hemorrhagic Disease, Salt Content and the Connection to Water Sources
Now is the time of year when Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) tends to hit deer herds the hardest. If you are unfamiliar with HD and would like to read up on it, check out these articles from QDMA on what it is and what we can do about it. There is little doubt that water availability is related to the severity of outbreak. In late summer, rain is less common than in the springtime in most areas and water sources begin to dry up throughout the landscape. The effects are intensified when a drought occurs.
Another factor associated with disease susceptibility is the relationship between water use by deer and the amount of salt in their diet. The more salt a deer consumes, the more likely it will visit a standing water source. The salt content of popular deer minerals such as trophy rock and lucky buck is over 60% which deer are no doubt attracted to. The problem is they do not offer deer enough of the key minerals that are important for immune function and antler growth. We do not want to make our deer go toward water any more than they would naturally during the critical late summer time period. However, some salt is necessary in order to maintain consumption rates. Mineral Dirt 180™ has a middle of the road salt content (35% max) in order to balance consumption with usefulness.
Luckily, most of the US has had an abundance of rainfall this summer so water sources are not in short supply. Even in wet years though, some isolated locations will still be effected, so remember to stay vigilant on your property and look for signs of the disease. Common symptoms include: deer standing or bedding in water, excessive salivating with tongue out, panting, loss of fear of humans, loss of appetite, rapid pulse, fever, and death. If you find a dead deer that you suspect died from HD, contact your local department of natural resources and report it so they can monitor the severity of the outbreak in your area. The good news is that even in areas of severe outbreak, deer herds can rebound fairly quickly if they have proper nutrition.
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Mineral Dirt 180 - 20lb
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Ani-Shield Base Mix
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CRUSH Pro Bean Blend
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