sick fawn...help appreciated

we are wildlife rehabbers and we received a buck fawn yesterday. his naval cord is healed and weighs 5 3/4 pounds.


 


eating well, poo'ing and pee'ing well. very alert and active. the problem at hand is his tarsal glands are draining black fluid which has now turned to a tinge of red blood occasionally. 


 


we, nor any other rehabber in our network, have ever seen this. vet is at a pause with this as well. he is large animal but does not deal with deer unless we have an emergency, so, there have been times he was uncertain about what is wrong with these little guys.


 


anyone ever seen a less than one week old fawns tarsal glands drain and bleed? if so, what did you do?


 


thanks for the help

thanks for all the replies. i have rehabbers and ranchers around me and they are saying they have never heard of this either. 


 


@ buckyblue. no injuries what-so-ever. ultrasound of abdomen as well as x-rays show no sign of injuries. EVERYONE appears to be stumped with this one, even A&M. our vet contacted them and they said they have no idea. suggested we dose with Albon for 5 days and see if it helps. if not, or it worsens during that time, we will re-access.


 


the little guy is full of energy. he does not appear to be in pain in the joints or leg area. the only time he appeared to be in pain is when the vet squeeze the glands in case there was an impactment and oh my, bloody drainage poured out. since that, it does not phase him to clean the area.


 


the left leg has minimal drainage. the right leg is significant bloody drainage and it is coming exclusively from the tarsal area tuft of hair.


 


he walks fine etc. he is the most lively of the 6 we have taken in. first to leap up when it is feeding time and barging out the door of his kennel. he drinks the largest volume of milk and is gaining weight rapidly.


 


hopefully someone comes along here that can lend some advice, or this Albon helps whatever is wrong with this little fellow.


 


thanks for the replies so far.

thanks for your reply bell. THAT is indeed something to think about. have you ever had one with injured tarsals? if so, what did you do for it and how long did it take for it to heal?

update on this little guy:


 


NO DRAINAGE during the night. YIppeeee. looks ALOT better. cleaned the glands this AM and not one drop of drainage.


 


NOW we have running foul smelling yellow stool. like water. fecal test 3 days ago showed no coccidia.


 


he did not take but 1 oz on his final feeding last night. i thought oh no, i don't think this little guy is going to pull through this.


 


i put him back in his kennel and decided to let him rest a while longer. got up at 2 am and tried second feeding he did not want the bottle AT ALL, so i tubed him. 


 


this morning, he sprung up and drank 2 1/2 oz. and runny foul smelling yellow stool basically poured out of his little bottom end


 


geez, this little guys is having a tough go. 


 


anyone have any great tips for scours? he is drinking goat milk and i added 1 oz of pedialyte. 


 


thanks

got the pumpkin. he HATES it but when he is hungry enough he will give in shock effect going as well. have the antitoxin but have not given it. thanks for the help