Experimental infection of while-tailed deer fawns with Salmonella meleagridis was accomplished. The fawns suffered clinical illness, similar to spontaneous cases observed in the field. This disease may be an important factor in fawn survival in wild herds based on the frequency with which Salmonellae could be isolated in wild fawns.

The clinical disease was acute, characterized by rapid depression and dehydration. Death ensued in three of eight experimental cases. The survivors suffered clinical illness.