has anybody heard of deer having a heat stroke? I have a doe fawn that had one last week. and a couple that have come close. is there any thing i can do other than electrolytes? I kept her in the A/C for a couple days. did much better then now that shes back out in the heat again she is back to being lethargic, no suction on the bottle, and is in a daze staring up in the air.
heat stroke
- Thread starter flyingshamrock
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Joined Apr 2009
1,562 Posts | 0+
cental Pennsylvania
I had a 4 year old adult doe die from an apperent heat stroke just 2 weeks ago, she was on to the way to get to the water tub and halfway up the hill she dropped over dead. the only thing i can conclude is the heat killed her in some way as it was 95 degrees all that week.
i'm thinking it is happening more than people realize, thinking that it is some other sickness and treating with antibiotics
I had a healthy 2 year old doe drop dead a few day's back. I do think that it was the heat that killed her.
I lost a healthy buckfawn yesterday, found dead at the water pan. This particular pen has plenty of shade and some open area for whatever breeze might be blowing on that day. I heard a commercial from a local vet on the radio the other day stating that (for your dogs, cats, etc., but should be universal for all animals, I would think) you should be putting sports drinks with the animals' water when it is this hot. He recommended 16 oz Gatorade or Pediacare per gallon of water. I have not done it, but thinking very much about it. In years past we were able to get our hands on a water soluable powder containing electrolytes at work. I cannot remember where we got them, though.
Makes me wonder how the wild deer get by in this heat without gatorade. Nature is your best teacher, it always is.
NYBill said:
If nature loses 10% without Gatorade and Deer Farmer Joe Loses 0% by using Gatorade, who are you going to listen to? Mother Nature has no debt to pay off!
We have had 30 days of over 100. here in Oklahoma and no relief in sight I dont know of anyone losing deer to heat but it is EHD time so be sure its not that before you diagnose heat stroke.It is 104 right now and calling for 108 to 110 next week.Pray for rain
Let's hope this tropical storm hitting Texas comes up through the middle of the country and brings some relief to us all!
Phillip I couldnt argue that logic, but I dont believe deer are dying of heat stroke in captivity if they have what they do in nature.
Joined Apr 2009
1,562 Posts | 0+
cental Pennsylvania
Bill, I was thinking about what you said and came to the conclusion that I do believe deer can find relief in the wild easier, with no bounderies they can seek out creek bottoms or hollows that are significantly cooler than the open fields or smaller pens with few trees that they are sometimes kept in captivity. I have some open pens and some heavily wooded pens, on a steep hillside, and my deer have spots they lay for the heat of summer, and spots they lay in the bitter cold winter, sometimes they are on the top of the hill, sometimes they lay low.
This thread topic reminds me of something that has always bothered me and that is I have heard many a deer farmer say that it is not a good idea to bring "northern" deer or their genetics into southern climates because of the heat.( I live in Florida) I know of one Fla. farmer who is trying to weed out his northern bloodlines because he says his deer are "stressed".So here is the problem in my mind. Our summers average about 95 degrees with 90% plus humidity daily. You northern farmers are seeing temps. higher than that every year and yet for the most part your deer do quite well. Go figure??
This is what I did to try, I built a mister system with feild sprayer nozzles and 3/8 hose, There is 5 nozzles spaced 4 ft apart and just tie strapped to the fence, can do 2 pens with 1 run, just hooked to waters supply line with a valve to turn on and off. Now to fiqure out away to inject insecticide thru it and can take care on bugs too. They do like it.
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I do have trees and a building to provide shade. plenty of air flow. In one pen i do have misters and today after we had to put my doe fawn down we will have them in every cage. her death will not be in vain. learning experience everyday. I am ready for fall.
I always make sure to allow for tall weeds and heavy cover in my pens. 4 or 5 foot ragweed and goldenrod mixed in with thistle and the normal grasses, and then mowed areas where the clover and chicory can take over. I believe that cover is very beneficial to the deer for weather and fly relief.
Antlershed, youre right, I agree that wild deer do have that advantage to move around. Some areas just dont make the best deer pens.
Antlershed, youre right, I agree that wild deer do have that advantage to move around. Some areas just dont make the best deer pens.
dennypell said:
try the miracle gro hose applicator . just change what you put in it. might need a filter so not to have chunks of anything go through.