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Swollen face

Joined Aug 2010
213 Posts | 0+
Mercer, PA
This fawn had her face swell 24hrs ago. it is not her jaw, but allong the muscle that runs under the eye, about the size of a golf ball. I have no idea what is causing it? She'll eat leaves out of my hand so i believe she is eating (not bottle fed). Not sure what to think, anyone encounter this?

Thanks.



Cannot get pics attached?
 
i guess that is possible, we do have black snakes around here, but no poisonous ones.



Still cant get these pics to upload, think to big but not sure how to resize them
 
Found in North America from southwestern Ontario (Canada) and western New York State southwest to southeastern Arizona (USA) and northern Tamaulipas (Mexico). In Mexico, isolated populations exist in southern Nuevo León, north-central Coahuila and in Samalayuca, Chihuahua.[7] It occurs in various habitats ranging from swamps and marshes to grasslands, usually below 1500 m elevation. The type locality given is "... on the prairies of the upper Missouri" (Valley, USA).[ wikipedia
 
Probably hit something ... I would give it pennicillin with baytril. And check to see if you can drain the puss out .... Good luck !!!!
 
Not possitive but it looks like an abcess If it is the hair around will fall out and the skin will turn black just before it bursts . If it is an abcess they can be lanced and cleaned out but just may reform . Just keep an eye on her and watch it . They normally burst on their own and heal fine . Just my guess looking at the picture .
 
Update on this ****. The overall swelling under the eye has seemed to subside and all that is left is a golf ball sized lump below the back corner of her eye. I have not given her any meds, and she seems to be eating fine. Still keeping a close eye on her.
 
Mitch P said:
Not possitive but it looks like an abcess If it is the hair around will fall out and the skin will turn black just before it bursts . If it is an abcess they can be lanced and cleaned out but just may reform . Just keep an eye on her and watch it . They normally burst on their own and heal fine . Just my guess looking at the picture .



This is exactly what is happening right now. Losing the hair and black all over the outside. Probably going to rupture soon. She ate some apple pieces tonight so still feeling ok inspite of all this.
 
Jensen just keep a real close look on her once it bursts...the flies can lay eggs and then come the maggots and then comes the bold infection.........good luck, hope it all works out for you.
 
Mira Vista Ranch said:
Any reason why she hasn't gotten any meds ? Its very important to fight that infection ....



At this point I didn't want to put her down to administer any, it's quite warm here. I'm relatively new to the deer thing but been around livestock my whole life and have am not always quick to medicate or intervene. Sometimes I don't think we give animals enough credit to handle things on their own. I know deer are not as hardy as other livestock, but sometimes the stress of intervening my offset the benefit. She is being raised by her mother and will eat treats from me which allows me to keep a close eye on it. Afraid if I try to stick her without sedation my ability to observe closely will be lost. I also think she is comfortable enough for me to hopefully work on fly control when it bursts. Who knows, mom might also keep on top of it when it ruptures and keep it clean. If there is a better way to medicate than I have mentioned I more than willing to listen to new ideas
 
I also wasn't sure it was an infection at first. It could have been she ran into something and had subsequent swelling to which putting her down and giving antibiotics would have done nothing other than risk of not waking up. I really wasnt sure what was going on with her. Now that I am quite confident it is an infection and abcess, I wouldn't have any issues giving meds, just not sure what's the best way currently and if they a really still warranted?
 
Hey Jens -

I had a doe that developed a lump on the lower part of her jaw a few weeks ago. I was getting ready to put her down to lance it and give meds and it broke on it's own. I've just kept a really close eye on her and she's healing up fine so far with no intervention on my end.

Keep us posted on how she progresses. Hope everything else is going well.

Give me a call this week and we can catch up.



Mike