Sick deer?

Question

There has been a small deer coming in to eat all summer. He is sick and sounds like he has pneumonia. His breathing has always been very labored, but it is worse than ever. I can hear his extremely raspy breathing from 50 feet away. Can I give him human antibiotics? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Answer 1

get in contact with a wildlife group or vet

Answer 2

I don't really have a good answer, but that's really sad. I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like that deer has a very serious condition. I don't agree about letting nature take its course all the time - if some suffering creature enters our life, why not do our best to help it? I certainly would want someone to do the same for me.

What about getting in touch with zoos that have deer for kids to pet? The deer's handlers might be familiar with meds and doses for deer. Just a thought...

Answer 3

Hi

You do not say what state you live in???

You need to contact your local DNR or State wildlife agency...

Or a wildlife rescue group.. call local law enforcement they will know who is your area.

You see, diseases in deer can spread rapidly to other Deer.
We live in Wisconsin and CWD is a big issue here..

This deer could be injured as well and only now getting unable to fight it... could be shot.. Obviouly it is suffering..

Where as I do not condone shooting or killing deer I also do not feelt hat if this deer is coming around and you can get it help that you should just Let nature take its course...

I really think that sometimes wildlife actually comes to human to get help.. I have to think this because of the number of times I simply would never have known about an injured wild animal etc. if it were not for that IT approached me, hung around etc..

Deer can get pnuemonia but usually it hits when they are already run down and weakened...
Is he walking with his head down and doe he have a thick mucous from his mouth or nose?
Younger dear are more susceptible than older deer to this..
Antibiotics is the way to treat but I cant tell you what or hoe much and youd have to put it in feed for it to eat.. Could also be lung worm,, so may need to worm it as well?
DNR wont help you treat the deer...
SO if you want to do that you need to call a sanctuary, a VET or Deer farm someplace and ask them ...



Give the above a call...
As far as Meds.... yes to some and no to others and without knowing what is going on... I would not try it.. But another idea is to see if you have a local Deer farm.. give them a call they may help or be able to give you doses or drug ideas if nothing else can be done.. then there is nothing to lose eh?


Of course never approach an injured or sick wild animal .

There are places to get him help.. You local DNR will Prob put him down.. but a wildlife rescue will treat him and release him.

Like I said he may have been injured, shot in the lung.. etc... and infection is secondary to the injury.. Deer are pretty hardy really,..
It would be odd for it to get Pnuemonia. Could have been hit and broken ribs... who knows...

Other than putting whatever you are feeding it out,, maybe try putting a dishpan of clean water out as well, by the food or area where it eats...


Link to SOME Sanctuaries,.. shows only a few per state

http://www.greenpeople.org/sanctuary.htm

Good Luck.. I will add you to my watch list if you need help finding a place and can tell me your state or area I will see if I can find a grgoup.

Thanks for caring, and Id love to hear how it all goes...

Here is a link to a deer dite forum where they know what they are talking about.. you can ask on there as well..

http://www.deer-forums.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=5&post=28387

Also a long shot but you can call a Chris Cold Wildlife Tech and Educator at 715-532-3911 ( WI DNR) He is here but he is full of info and usually will try to help... good guy . aybe be able to advise you.

Take care

Wismom

Answer 4

The small deer is a wild animal, as much as it hurts, let nature take it's normal course. As for human antibiotics, I don't know. As a vegetarian, I am not in favor of killing the deer, as some might say.