Forum Discussion

AZPops's avatar
AZPops
Explorer
Jan 22, 2014

Hey DOC ...

Just wanted to ask cause a friend has a deer in his neighbors back yard who has a very infected foot. They've been throwing him fruit an such to keep his weight in check, but the foot is (according to him) is three times the rest of his hoofs.

Do Vets do pro Bono type of treatments for this type of situation? and or an organization who does a catch, treat, release type of thing?

I can't post a link to his thread (with photos of the deer) since it's in an area of the Dive Watch Connection forum where only long time members are allowed access.

Thanks DOC!

Lance


Up Date; He spoke to a wild life rescue where he's located (Colorado Springs, CO). They told hi if the deer's over 6 months old they can't help. Wild Life and Game told him if the deer doesn't get better, they'll put him down.

This deer's been in the neighborhood for 4 years so they hope they can find someone who can help him.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    A deer is a wild animal, not a "pet". In a wild animal, an infirmity of the hoof/foot such as the one you describe is a sentence to a slow and painful death, whether by starvation or eventual predation.

    Wild life and Game probably has the most practical and merciful solution. I hope your friend doesn't delay in getting this poor animal the relief it deserves.
  • AZPops's avatar
    AZPops
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    If anyone knows of an alternative source prior to Wild Life and Game is brought in. I'd appreciate it. The bottom line is, they will do whats best if there isn't another source available to them.

    Lance
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Jan 22, 2014
    I don't know the "rules" out where you are. In Indiana, even vets have to have a special permit to treat non-domestic, wild animals. Many rehab facilities have access to the people with experience treating specific species. You might see if there is a rehab center around your area that take care of deer.
  • AZPops's avatar
    AZPops
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    dturm wrote:
    I don't know the "rules" out where you are. In Indiana, even vets have to have a special permit to treat non-domestic, wild animals. Many rehab facilities have access to the people with experience treating specific species. You might see if there is a rehab center around your area that take care of deer.



    Thanks DOC, as always, I appreciate your advise and time given! ...

    Lance
  • dspencer's avatar
    dspencer
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    I have no ideal in your area Lance but in MO. and specifically in Kansas City we have a nature preservation center who will treat wild animals there and then release them back into the wild when there healed up. I have taken several smaller wild life over the years and they took me on a tour there one time and they have a big place right in the middle of the city that is a wooded habitat and have some local Vets who volunteer there services there. It is a really neat place. I know they will take deer in as when i took a tour of the place, they had a couple of deer they were nursing back to health.
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Jan 22, 2014
    The sad part is that it's still a wild animal, even if it's the neighborhood "pet" - and treating it could stress it to the max (not to mention the hurt an angry deer can put on the humans who are trying to help it). Deer are also abundant - not exactly a species that needs preservation. So all of these add up to the animal being "culled" instead of rescued :-(
  • AZPops's avatar
    AZPops
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    My friend's actually from Colorado. He's making more calls to seek help. Wish I could post a link to his thread showing the deer, as well as the back story. But as mentioned, only long standing members of the forum has access to this area of the forum.

    dspencer, thanks for the recommendation / advise. I forward it to him as well. Really appreciate it...

    Deb no one is taking unnecessary chances with the deer. He's held up in the back yard with 8 or more does (not contained, as they are free to come and go whenever they want to). If they fail to acquire help, well the Wild Life and Game will be brought in I guess.


    Pops
  • CA_POPPY's avatar
    CA_POPPY
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    Your ma raised a good-hearted son, Lance. I'm like you and hate to see these survival-of-the fittest situations. I've seen my good intentions go awry, more times than I'd like to admit, too. You just do what you can and cross your fingers. After all, we are each just "one among millions?" aren't we?
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    AZPops wrote:
    They've been throwing him fruit an such to keep his weight in check, but the foot is (according to him) is three times the rest of his hoofs.


    As you may have deduced, I'm a "hands off wildlife" person, BUT:

    Since the neighbors think otherwise and are already "treating" this animal, even if only by attempting to keep his weight in check, I'll make the following suggestion:

    There may be a veterinary oral antibiotic that could be fed mixed with something the deer will eat. Many such medicines are available without a prescription at feed stores etc. Such a treatment MIGHT cure the infection, though it's of course a long shot.

    Side note:

    Putting him on a "diet" may be doing more harm than good. He's probably having enough trouble getting nutritious food....quality calories are very important in an animal with an infection.
  • AZPops's avatar
    AZPops
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2014
    CA POPPY wrote:
    Your ma raised a good-hearted son, Lance. I'm like you and hate to see these survival-of-the fittest situations. I've seen my good intentions go awry, more times than I'd like to admit, too. You just do what you can and cross your fingers. After all, we are each just "one among millions?" aren't we?



    Yes we sure are Judy, and thanks for the kind words. The deer showed up with the bad hoof a couple of days ago, so we'll see how it goes.

    Lance

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