Doe with broken neck??

Derek · Aug 14, 2012

Thanks Lana, I'll check out the drawings! Here's an update on the fawn everyone: she's continuing to eat like a horse and loves to be in her cradle. As odd as this may sound, she seems to like it when we straighten her neck out....fell asleep tonight, while my wife straightened it. When we lay her on her side, she tries to put her head almost onto her back and flails it more than I like to see. I'm thinking of trying to make a neck brace for her, so her neck learns the proper position again?? Any thoughts?? Her ears are always perky and she loves all of the attention! Gave her 1.2cc of dex again today. She seems to be getting more feeling in her legs, because I have to pinch with a lot less effort to get a reaction today. Still no attempt to use her front legs though....although when laying on her side, she seems to tread with them a bit. I think the motion is from the shoulder area though. She seems to not only have the will to live....but almost seems to love her time with us in the cradle. Lol. So I guess if she's eating, drinking, peeing and pooping, she has a fighting chance. Just So everyone knows....if she were to ever show signs of pain or suffering, we would take appropriate measures immediately. We love her to death and want what's best for her. I am not ignoring the few replies saying that it may be best to put her down.....because I appreciate all opinions and advice....I'm just thinking that the way she is acting is a sign that there may be hope!

Ps. I can't seem to post pics on here, so if anyone is interested in pics of her or my other deer, please email me at [email protected]

Thanks to all!

Lanasvet · Aug 16, 2012

Derek, you and your wife are people who are obviously filled with love and goodness. It takes a tremendous amount of effort to do what you are doing to rehabilitate your doe. I totally understand where you are coming from.

I know that swimming is a great way to rehab patients with partial paralysis and dogs with IVDD are often put in pools to encourage movement. Intravertabral disk disease.

See https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.pro...70c624fd7ad06ac052f3dd37a/fileSOC_09_04_1.pdf

I can imagine how hard this is on you guys, as you become more and more attached to your little doe, hoping to see some limb improvement. Perhaps you might consider asking a deer DVM or large animal DVM to ex-ray your doe. Some have portable machines that they use when out on the field, or maybe you can put her in a dog crate and take her out to a Vet's office under light sedation to take some rad's (radiographs)? You would know better what you're up against and perhaps the expense of doing so would make you feel better at least knowing that you are headed in the right direction. Or conversely, if you are not, at least you can ask the doctor to help you to make the tough decision. The longer you go, the harder it is to make a good decision without actually have a "clear picture" of the injury. Imagine if it is only a compressed disk? You can of course phone your DVM and ask if an exray will show a disk compression or similar anomaly?

Just throwing out some ideas, which you probably have had yourself.

Best of luck to you and your wife, I am sorry that you are going through this difficult time. Taking care of animals is heartbreaking at times, but well worth it if the animal heals well, like my Rosa did.

Be well!

lana

more on acute spinal cord injuries: https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.pro...4fff040cbba6ccbd8c3252f49/fileSOC_09_07_1.pdf

Derek · Aug 16, 2012

Thanks so much for all of your help! We are going to take her in for X-rays within the next couple of days. Hopefully as you say....they can give us a better idea of whether we should continue our battle or let her go. She is having trouble breathing now when we lay her on her right side. Still happy and eating and drinking lots otherwise

Lanasvet · Aug 16, 2012

Sometimes when the spinal cord is affected, the muscles of the thoracic region are weakened as well due to innervation in this area... you might try some light coupage to help her break up some bronchial secretions (likely resulting from lack of physical activity). I also have heard Dr. Joe Ables mention nebulization.

[email protected]

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Doe with broken neck??

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