Below is a link to a video that I think other farmers may find interesting and helpful. The video is of the antler removal procedure we had to perform on our yearling, Bigdeal on July 22, 2013. Below is a list of the steps we followed. Last year we performed the same procedure on Wideout and had great success. I also videotaped that procedure and will be posting shortly. Mike Heiter of WillPenn Whitetails gave me alot of great advice last year before we cut Wideout, a big thanks goes out to him. Wideout was cut, recovered and bred to a full pen of doe. Mike took alot of time talking to me and discussing the procedure before we did it, and his information was extremely valuable. Now, a year later, we had to do it again. Just as Mike did for me, I am offering this information to hopefully help others who might find themselves in a position where they need to cut. Hope you find this interesting and helpful. Remember, I am not a vet, you should always consult your vet, but this is what worked for me.
1. Dart and move to a clean working environment (we always perform serious procedures indoors to avoid the elements)
2. Insert rectal thermometer and monitor temp frequently (have bags of ice and water bottles that can be heated in the microwave to help maintain proper temperature.)
3. Start IV Lactated Ringer
4. Turnicate antler (only one at a time)
5. Suture major veins above the turnicate to reduce blood loss.
6. Burn velvet off around the antler where you intend to cut, above the sutures and turnicate.
7. Using a sawzall, remove the antler. (expect blood loss and I recommend a blade with large teeth as the finer blade gets clogged with bone material and is difficult to cut)
8. Suture any veins that are bleeding excessively.
9. Carterize the entire top and side portions of the antler.
10. Apply blood stop powder (repeat carterization where necessary.
11. Make sure all bleeding stopped and apply Catron spray to the entire area (be cautious not to get blood stop powder, blood, catron or any other substances in the deer's eyes.)
12. Apply Alushield. (This is a liquid bandage spray that looks like tinfoil once applied.)
13. Repeat other side.
14. Aftercare: before reversing treat with antibiotic, vitamin k, vitamin b, worming medicine and wipe permetherine spray lotion on the deer's head, ears, face and all down his back.
15. Reverse.
16. Monitor closely to watch for flies and infection.
VIDEO LINK: http://youtu.be/SyN6097IciQ
1. Dart and move to a clean working environment (we always perform serious procedures indoors to avoid the elements)
2. Insert rectal thermometer and monitor temp frequently (have bags of ice and water bottles that can be heated in the microwave to help maintain proper temperature.)
3. Start IV Lactated Ringer
4. Turnicate antler (only one at a time)
5. Suture major veins above the turnicate to reduce blood loss.
6. Burn velvet off around the antler where you intend to cut, above the sutures and turnicate.
7. Using a sawzall, remove the antler. (expect blood loss and I recommend a blade with large teeth as the finer blade gets clogged with bone material and is difficult to cut)
8. Suture any veins that are bleeding excessively.
9. Carterize the entire top and side portions of the antler.
10. Apply blood stop powder (repeat carterization where necessary.
11. Make sure all bleeding stopped and apply Catron spray to the entire area (be cautious not to get blood stop powder, blood, catron or any other substances in the deer's eyes.)
12. Apply Alushield. (This is a liquid bandage spray that looks like tinfoil once applied.)
13. Repeat other side.
14. Aftercare: before reversing treat with antibiotic, vitamin k, vitamin b, worming medicine and wipe permetherine spray lotion on the deer's head, ears, face and all down his back.
15. Reverse.
16. Monitor closely to watch for flies and infection.
VIDEO LINK: http://youtu.be/SyN6097IciQ
