This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Fawn sucks bottle reluctantly

T

Texas John

Joined Jun 2009
74 Posts | 0+
Atlanta, Texas
I have a 3 week old fawn who just refuses to suck on the bottle. Well he does a little, but not willingly.

Have tried karo syrup on nipple - but that got a definite NO.

He was brought to me two days ago - his Mom was killed by a truck.

He is scared, but getting to know me so handling is not a problem.

Not sucking on the bottle has me concerned.

Have "forced" milk replacer down him using a syringe (being careful not to let him aspirate)

He is pooping and peeing so that is not a concern right now.

Any suggestions?
 
I friend of mine had a fawn once that wouldn't take the bottle--drank out of a cup. Try a bowl or a cup. I have a buck fawn that the mom wouldn't take care found it half dead. He is doing fine now. I had to cup my hand under his chin and hold the bottle and his mouth that way the nipple didn't come out and he couldn't pull away until he got use to the bottle. It took about a week of doing it that way each time it got easier. Good luck with the fawn.
 
Texas John,

I admire what your doing for the fawn but are you licensed to raise it.......are you allowed to rasie a wild fawn in your state? I ask these questions because in our state it is no legal......Just this year someone locally saved a baby fawn that was mauled by a dog to only have it taken from them and destroyed by our Game Commission......Just want to make sure you are not headed for trouble.
 
Texas John,

Just thought about something. It has worked for me also when the fawn wouldn't take the bottle. Every time it cried I feed it. It was about every 2-3 hours may only get an once or 2 in at a time but it is better than nothing. That is what I do when I pull my fawns. I make sure I pull right before dark and then in the morning I try the bottle. Some will take it right away and some don't so for the ones that don't I make sure I have the day off of work --been lucky that my fawns were born on the weekends. And feed every time it cried. Then the next day I stated the 3x a day feedings he should eat when he is good and hunger. Also try to give him some grass with clover in it--at 3 wks he should be grazing some. Good luck
 
Dennis - you are right. Not legal in Texas either.



John - I get calls all of the time from folks trying to do the right thing, only to end up in trouble with the Game Warden. If you are a breeder, and a GW didn't bring this fawn to you, you are risking loosing your TPWD license.



If all is on the up and up, and you want to ask any questions, please don't hesitate to call - I am sure anyone on here would gladly help you try to save this baby.
 
Don't worry folks I have a rehabilitator permit. Worked with a vet for almost 5 years and raised lots of other animals including goats.

You are absolutely right - many people want to help and they are so "cute" - what many don't realize is that had they left the fawn where they found it - in most cases the Mother would return and take care of it.

Now a fawn whose Mom was wiped out by an 18 wheeler is a different thing altogether.

We did not have a rehabilitator in our county - the last one died. So the Game Warden talked me into this - along with one of our vets here. My wife and I are enjoying and have had no problems until this little guy came on the scene.

I appreciate the suggestions and Robbie I will call you in the morning -it's too late now.
 
Texas John,

I think it is great the you can have a rehabilitator permit. Sounds like you and your wife enjoy doing it. I to live in PA--so I try to tell people to let the fawns alone. Last year my husband & I had a wild doe with fawn hanging around our place. We went away for a weekend when we come home a doe was hit and killed right at our driveway. Then that evening I seen the a fawn by its self hanging around at my back pen. Figured that it was the mom that got hit and killed. I did put feed out for it--it looked to be about the same age as my fawns at that time which were about 6 wks old. When I would tell people about this --they would say "why don't you catch it and put it in with your deer" Some people just don't understand. I left it outside my pen and it hung around for about 2-3 weeks and then never seen it after that.
 
Robbie,

It was sure informative talking to you this morning. Sorry to take up so much of your time.

It is a small world after all - since you know my Brother's wife!

I think that I agree with you - the new fawn can't be 3 weeks old - that was just my guess based on the size difference between the one that I know is one week old and the new one.

After we talked this morning the new one just plain went to town on the syringe - still won't take the bottle, but I believe it won't be long.

Actually took (eagerly!!!!!) 6 12 ml syringes full. I'm feeding every hour till I'm convinced we are out of the woods!

Also got some dewormer (Safeguard) and will give it later today.

Thanks for your help and suggestions.
 
That's great, John. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. We didn't talk about the type of nipple you are using, but you might try playing around with some different sizes, silicone vs. rubber, Pritchard's, etc. Sounds like you are really close to her taking a bottle, regardless.
 
Robbie,



Ring the bell!!! Shout out loud!!! Baby just took the bottle!!!!!!!!

RELIEF! I've been using the syringe almost every hour to up intake. Baby walked up to me and just took the nipple - sucked poorly with lots of spill, but did take it inbetween nuzzling me.

My wife and I are so happy that we could just shout!!!!!

By the way: I am using Probiotic and Manna. Cured the loose bowels with Pepto-Bismal.



It's just amazing to me to see them do well. Guess I love animals too much. I know we will have to release them here on the acres, but just hope they will stay around after.



By the way - the new baby is not 3 weeks! Navel cord is still drying up and there. So much for me estimating age. Weight is 6 lb. The first one (Joey) who we know is 9 days old is now at 7.5lb. The difference in height is what threw me off. New Baby is almost 5" taller at the shoulder then Joey.



Thanks again.
 

Similar threads

S
Would like to reintroduce deer fawn into deer pen
Replies
0
Views
118
Spider2946
S
G
Help please! 5 to 6 Week Old Fawn keeps Crashing!
Replies
2
Views
889
HeartlandCountryResort
H
D
Fawn going bald
Replies
6
Views
825
Ostate_orange
O
W
Help!! Im new at all this. Have a fawn with possible dehydration and/or bloat!!!
Replies
0
Views
299
WVA.Whitetail-Momma
W
M
Stopped Sucking on Bottle
Replies
1
Views
879
Kisyau
K