Help needed for a White-tailed Deer Fawn

[Pam]

John has a white-tailed deer fawn at the clinic that is blind. It was found in the middle of a busy intersection. He called home for me to look up info in my wildlife book. I don't see any info on how to age the fawn. It weighs 21 pounds and still has its spots. We also need info on feeding the fawn. What type of formula should we use...how much and how many times a day? Should we keep it at the clinic or bring it to the house?

Do you think a blind deer can ever be released? DH's partner does have a farm, but only stays there on the weekends.

[Critter_Queen]

super busy today, but wanted to say that it is unlikely that you could release a blind fawn. Deer are prey animals and any predator would immediately attack her BECAUSE of her blindness. If she's female, she might make a good educational animal, though...do you have rehabbers in your area or wildlife centers?

I believe you feed lamb's milk to deer. Gabe would be a good source of info, too, as I know she's raised/released deer...

[Pam]

I don't know if there are any wildlife centers in the area. I'll research it. There is a MD in town that has a deer refuge. That might be a good place for the fawn.

Thanks Gam! I'll talk to Mandie.

[Pam]

I just received more info... The fawn has corneal burns on both eyes, and they are being treated. Once they are healed, he should be able to see. He was found around a big reservior and was probably accidently sprayed with weed poison. The other problem will be imprinting. The fawn walks on a leash. John's partner has been in contact today with our zoo vet, and they are going to try and find him a place at the zoo after he is healed. :) They also received feeding info. :)

[Pam]

That sounds GREAT!!!! :wahoo I sure hope everything works out as planned. :grouphug GREAT JOB PAM!!! :thumbsup :grouphug :thankyou

Thanks Gam...I didn't do a thing... except worry. Sounds like I can quit worrying now that everything is under control. :alright.gif

[Gabe]

There is one other option available for the fawn. If the abrasions can be healed with time then he will be most happy returned to his mother.
At that weight he is still quite young and does not yet have a scent that would attract a predator. His mother is able to care for him. He will follow her scent and nurse as needed. In a few days or a week when his vision returns he will be fine.
Oh yeah, and his mother will be quite happy to have her little darling back.:D

[Pam]

Gabe, John's partner that is an eye specialist is treating the eyes daily. I didn't know it until today...but the fawn has been at the clinic since Sunday. John called home today asking questions because he didn't know how much or how often to feed the fawn. He had been off since Friday. About how old do you think the fawn might be? How long can it stay away from it's mom and still be reunited?

[Gabe]

72 hours away from Mom is tops. Sounds like it may be too late for that. They are 5-7lbs at birth. At twenty pounds they may be in the 2-3 week old area.
Fawns are ruminants and it is imperative that they rumin is stimulated by two weeks, otherwise it will not develop properly and there will be a constant battle with bloat and diarrhea. I would have them pick plenty of fresh browse twice a day and fresh water available all the time.
I never use antibiotics orally as that will totally screw up the rumin, injectable only and PCN is a great choice.
At that age I feed Ultra 24, or Land o Lakes kid milk replacer. Need to watch the fat/protein just as carefully as we do with squirrels. Calf milk replacer will not do. Feed it 4-6 ounces 4 times a day. If the stools are good, meaning pellets, then you can slowly increase 2 ounces at a time. After each increase wait three days and observe the stool. If pellets remain, increase again. It takes a full three days to see the affects of what you fed 3 days ago. Once diarrhea occurs, it is hard work to get it back to pellets. No grains are necessary as long as there is fresh browse. I use a pritchard teat on a soda bottle to prevent them sucking air and bloating, baby bottles are handy, but not a good choice.

[Pam]

Thanks Gabe for the valuable info. :bowdown I just called the clinic and read your post to John. He's at our smaller clinic today without internet. The zoo vet had them giving the fawn cow's milk. :shakehead I hope it will not have any problems from it. I'm on my way to find kid's milk and a pritchard teat. At the moment they are syringe feeding. Thanks again!!!

[Gabe]

Pam, have to smile, but that good old cows milk just keeps popping up everywhere doesn't it? :D
Glad you are on it.:thumbsup