DJ, DO NOT USE DUCT TAPE OR VET WRAP. THERE IS A PROCESS THAT VETS USE THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED, AND I SUGGEST YOU CALL ONE.
to splint the leg (If a bone is NOT protruding) - and remember the RULE---
the LESS tape you use the better as this can cause pressure points which will cut off blood flow.
1. Wrap leg in lots of sterile cotton that comes in a roll (you can buy at CVS)
2. Cover cotton with light gauze, lightly tape gauze to hold cotton a bit
3. Place some type of splinting support (the vet has a "pre-molded" plastic device for this that you can get). Some people have used pvc piping (search this forum for pics), some have used wood "popsicle-like" sticks to add support on either side of leg.
4. Wrap with more cotton or gauze
5. Wrap lightly with Vet wrap (if you wrap too tightly, you will cut off the circulation).
The important thing is that if you wrap all the way to her hoof, that you wrap the hoof in an "extended" position, and DO NOT TAPE IT too tightly there (use white wrap tape, like the kind we used in high school sporting activities).
When my fawn broke her leg the Vet had too tightly wrapped her hoof, which caused it to swell and cut off blood flow. I recognized it immediately and they had to RE-SPLINT the next day.
She wore that splint for 3 weeks and I removed it. This was my judgment call. I also had to keep her sedentary in a cage the entire time so that she would not re-injure her healing fracture. You have to separate her and keep her in cage to give her bone the best chance to heal. It's a tough thing to do, but best for the deer.
Fawns heal fast and really well.
Also, remember you will have to re-splint if the splint gets wet b/c the wet materials will cause her skin to chaf and pressure sores will MOST CERTAINLY develop. Mine had quite a few pressure sores b/c she wore her splint for 3 weeks straight! Remember to expect this, so if you can, change the splint each week.
Good luck!
