help need pointers

I would also give some Thiamine. If you don't have any, B-Complex has Thiamine in it, so a large dose of that will do in a pinch.

Robbie, what are you thinking this may be. Sounds like the goat polio the farmer near me had.

I am not seasoned like Robbie at this. I only ask the question because of her recommendation to me about a deer with goat polio. She recommended thiamine. Trust me, whatever she recommends, do it!

Chances are if you wait 7 days he will either be better or dead. Our Vet is one of the best there is and he always suggests heavier doses of most drugs and wormers. I would give him at least 5 cc's and if he shows no improvement in 2 days hit him again. You might consider using Micotil if he gets worse. Pneumonia kills quickly but we have saved 2 this year with Micotil. Just be very careful with it if you use it because it can be a dangerous drug.

Did you give the Thiamine ? could really help your deer

There are so many environmental factors (stress, feed, weather...) that can contribute to a vitamin deficiency, and Thiamine seems to be one of the most common and is very serious. The ataxia and lethargic behavior makes me wonder, and now that you mention blood around his antler base, could this be head trauma? Any chance he has been fighting through a fence, or has wacked himself on something? What had you thinking pneumonia? Is he respiratory/snotty, or did the other behavior just lead you to think he was sick, and it is pneumonia season so seemed like a reasonable guess? Have you taken his temp? Assuming he is a mature buck, weighing over 100 lbs, the 14 oz of fluid you gave him isn't enough to prevent dehydration. You would have to run at least 1 liter of lactated ringers subcu. daily until you see him drinking regularly. Try to notice his urine, it will be dark yellow and pungent if he is becoming dehydrated. I am a big fan of heat lamps and warm/dry bedding. If he will tolerate the confinement, stick with it. Is he eating at all? You just have to balance the good you are trying to do with the amount of stress it puts him under. We can shoot ourselves in the foot pretty easily if all our efforts are being undermined by the stress we unintentionally impose. Such a difficult balance to try and achieve.



Good luck.



Brett - thank you!

If that is what you think is going on, he needs 10 cc Dex and 10 cc Thiamine daily for at least 3 days. Hydration is key. Long stem roughage is more important than pellet feed, and probiotics all to get the rumen going again.



Good luck.

Robbie, you took the words out of my mouth. In addition I would recommend a daily dose of Nutrical to keep the deer's caloric intake up.

I would keep the probiotics and treatments going, and give it a day or so. Let the bad poop get on out of him, and see if there is good coming along behind. If it doesn't get better in a day or so, then maybe treat, but I wouldn't plug him up just yet. Sometimes, it is better to let the bad get on out of their system. Especially if he is eating and drinking plenty.