Table 7.—Pathological conditions in the lower limbs of deer killed by wolves or hunters
| Specimen number | Sex | Age | Cause of death | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years | ||||
| M-28 | M | 5½ | Wolves | Right hind foot: "Old healed ankylosis of the pastern joint ... a spontaneously healed bacterial arthritis with the destroyed joint cavity filled in by solid bone. This deer probably had defective gait"[31] ([fig. 14]). |
| M-29 | F | 5½ | Wolves | Front foot: "A 3×4×5 cm. fibrous mass in the subcutis about the digital flexor tendon on the volar surface of the metacarpus. The surface was denuded, ulcerated, and superficially infected by surface bacteria.... Probably did detract from the animal's speed of flight"[31] ([fig. 15]). |
| M-37 | F | 7½ | Wolves | Hind foot: "Probable that the lesion was at one time an active bacterial bone marrow infection that had eventually fistulated to the skin.... Regional tendons and their sheaths were also present among this inflammation and scarring, and it would be fair to assume that the animal's agility was impaired to some extent."[31] |
| M-115 | M | 4½ | Hunter | Right front hoof: Broken at tip. |
| M-196 | F | 4½ | Wolves | Left front foot: "Two severe transverse lacerations on the volar surface. Each was approximately 4 cm. in length. One was located at the margin of the heel, and the other was located several cm. proximad. The more proximal wound had severed the flexon tendons, and the consequent uselessness of the limb was suggested by the splayed toes, the unmarred hoof wall and unworn soles"[32] ([fig. 16]). |
| M-227 | M | 9½ | Wolves | Left hind leg: "A diffuse swelling of the distal metatarsal bone, the surface of which was studded with small osteophytic spicules. The major flexor and extensor tendons were forced to assume a convex course over the summits of the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the defect, but the tendon sheaths were clean and the normal wear on soles of the involved toes suggested that functional deficit and pain were probably minimal ... quite certainly a callus from previous fracture"[32] ([fig. 17]). |
FOOTNOTES:
[31] D. M. Barnes. Personal correspondence to L. D. Mech, April 11, 1967.
[32] D. M. Barnes. Undated laboratory report transmitted to L. D. Mech in 1969.
Figure 11.—The jaws and legs of kills were inspected closely for abnormalities. (Photo courtesy of L. D. Frenzel.)
