We sedated our 3yo buck on Saturday mid day with Xylazine/Telazol mix. We have sedated him before with no ill effects. He went out and came to as normal however now it is Thursday evening and he is still having balance issues. Any advice?
This is more of a question, but what if you give him just a Little more of the reversal ? NOT saying to do that but is that an option?
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
Joined Apr 2009
1,562 Posts | 0+
cental Pennsylvania
If its been a few days like you say, at this point I would suspect early stages of pneumonia. I would dart him ASAP with some draxxin just as precaution.
Was he run around a lot and nervous before you darted him? If deer get worked up before you dart them, sometimes capture myopathy will set in within a few days.
Was he run around a lot and nervous before you darted him? If deer get worked up before you dart them, sometimes capture myopathy will set in within a few days.
Thank you for the replies. It does appear that pneumonia is trying to set in. We have darted him with the antibiotics. He is coughing now and so we will be staying on top of his care. Thankfully he is very tame and allows us to approach him.
Joined Apr 2009
1,562 Posts | 0+
cental Pennsylvania
I had a buck last year that died as a result of pneumonia from darting him. He died 11 days after I delivered him to the preserve, if he hadn't been in a high acre preserve, the guy may have been able to save the buck, but the preserve pen was just to big and no one saw him until it was too late for him. You just never know, anytime you dart a deer its possible to have pneumonia set in.
We have loaded him with meds up to the most he should have. He shows signs of aggravation now. Not sure if he is just sick of being messed with or improving enough to let us know to stay away. Praying he makes it!! Besides his fawn from last year he is our only remaining buck after the EHD hit year before last.
Very excited for little steps. I know with these deer you don't have definite answers most of the time but I am grateful for little signs of improvement. Our buck Fezzik got up for the first time in 9 days without prompting or actual physical help. He has been walking around now for almost 45 minutes and even grazing a little. He is not drinking water well and so we are feeding him high moisture content foods that he usually only gets as treats. He loves all kinds of melons and a banana is gone in a matter of seconds when he is around. He seems to be getting enough moisture to urinate some, not enough yet but it is increasing. Praying we are on the up side of this and never have to revisit this problem!!!