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Fawn walks without front hooves

T

T-Hat

Joined Aug 2014
84 Posts | 0+
Montgomery, AL
Thanks for all the help that is provided by the experienced farmers on this page. I'm sure many, many of us read the threads on here and find info we need but neglect to thank you for your help. Hope you realize how beneficial it is to us new guys.

 
Got a fawn i need some help with. He was born with tight tendons. So much so that he will not walk on the bottom of his front hooves but curls them under and walks on his "knuckles". A day after birth we took him to the vet to get splints put on hoping it would help, but didn't seem to have much effect. Could be that he has a severe case or deformity. We are going with splints again to try and correct his walk. My question is this:

 
Has any body experienced a deer that did well with this condition and how does it pan out? Lets say he never corrects his front feet, has anybody seen a deer walk without front hooves or on their knuckles?

 


Attaching a picture, because everybody loves pictures :)
 

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We had a fawn last year that walked on his knuckles. I just kept his legs coated in blue coat. we gave him survive d every couple of days to help with his energy after he was born. About a week or two he started walking regularly. This year he's a yearling that is the smallest one in the bunch and is just started to grow his antlers. He layed around a lot in his barrel the first month of life
 
I think someone on one of the Facebook posts someone mentioned using LA200 (antibiotic) to put elasticity, or loosen the tendons. Have yo given bo-se? You may want to inquire on the Facebook q & a page, or search there. This has been a topic that has come up before.
 
I have had this a few times over the years. It almost every time solved its self in a few days time. Since they do not walk much the first few days anyway it is not a big deal. I actually think splinting is worse because they do not have the ability to flex and loosen up the tendons.

If they are so bad that they do not heal on their own then splinting will not cure the issue either.
 
We had a doe born this year (triplets) that had the same issue, we even name her crooked toe! I got some of the elastic tape used for horses ankles, straightened out the hoof and wrapped it up to just below the knee. This forced herto walk on the hoof. She was stiff legged for the first couple of days but slowly adjusted. After about a week she was running around with all of the others. I removed the tape around day 10 and you would never know she had anything wrong.
 
Yes had one this spring,  talked with Vet.   Take plastic conduit 1 1/2 " or 2 " depending on leg sizes, 4-5 inch long.   split it in half length wise.    Round all sharp edges,  wrap leg with cloth or paper towel.  place splint up the back side with hoof up  to same level as splint on end.  wrap leg into splint with the sticky tape 3-4 times  leave on only 16 hours  a day to allow air and blood flow.  It took about a week for mine to straighten out. 


 


I put on in afternoon  took off at 7 AM next day.   Also gave him Bo-se 2cc at first shot and 1cc every other day until straight. 


 


Hope this helps, Alex  
 
We call ours GIMPY he still walks softly on them but figure as he gets older he will strengthen as he grows.
 
Had one born on our farm. He has been in a splint for over a week. The fronts have not improved much. His joints are locked up to where you can't make them straighten out. My question is what do you do with him if he don't straighten up. He had wore the hide off his legs the first 2 days without his splints.
 
We did give BO-SE at 24 hours. I mentioned this treatment to the vet (Bo-Se daily). He says a deficiency would cause laxity of his joints. But in his case they are too tight. Will keep you posted
 
T-Hat, I just spoke with Johnny McDonald from J&M Whitetails. He said he had a fawn with this exact same issue, he signed of for an account on the forums but hasn't been activated yet. He wants you to give him a call so that he can offer up advice and help you out with your fawn. Good luck!


 


Johnny McDonald 256-462-3892
 

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