For the last few days I've seen a beautiful adult doe in the pasture by the salt block. I noticed that she limped but at first it was just a small limp. Now this morning I noticed that her front 'knee' seems to be either broke or severely sprained. She can't jump over the fence so she stays in the pasture (3 ac). Just now I looked out the window & she's laying in the pasture out in the open. I tapped on the window to see if she was alive & she's alive but can't seem to get up. As you know I'm alone down here and although I do have guns & know how to use them; I've never shot a hooved animal. There's no one to call for help so any suggestions would be appreciated. Is a head shot the most humane? I can't stand to let her suffer but I also don't want to do anything to cause her more suffering.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), June 19, 2002

Answers

I know most would probably shoot her, and yes, the boys would probably be most helpful with this. I think a clean head shot. Back of the head, downward...but like I said, they could probably be more specific.

Buut, if it was me, I'd be looking, at least considering other options...because of the nature of the situation.

Questions? Can she be approached? Leg only, that you noticed? So, probably infection, dehydration, hunger. Could be other stuff though, obviously. How is your stock med cabinet? Got any LA200? Noone else around, huh? *sigh*

Email me if you want, I'll certainly try to help! :)

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow1@aol.com), June 19, 2002.

any animlas rehabilitators near you? can call the DNR or wildlife people to find out. If not, ,or they dont want deer,, get as close as you can,, and aim for the head or just below the head on the neck. Wildlife should suffer, but again,, they dont feel pain like we think they do, and sometimes their systems just shut down, like they know its time to give up.

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), June 20, 2002.

Thanks guys, after posting I went out to the pasture to see how close I could get to her. She's so afraid poor thing, but she didn't try to run, just stood there shaking. I brought out a fresh bucket of water which she drank and left some sweet feed near her. I didn't try to touch her but I was only about 3 ft from her so I could see the leg much better. From what I can see there's no obvious breaks & it looks like she may have really messed up the tendons or ligaments because when she puts weight on it it appears to 'bow out' at the knee like the muscles aren't supporting the leg but there's no bones visible even with weightbearing. Sorry if my description isn't the best, it's hard to explain without a drawing. Right now she's laying in my barn on a nice bed of straw with food & water available. I put 1/2 a horse dose of Glucosamine/Chondroiton (for joints & tendons) in her food & MSM( for joint/muscles) in her water along with colloidal silver for any possible infection. She doesn't look dehydrated or starved so either this had happened right around the first time I noticed the limp or she's adapting to the injury. This morning I called Fish & Wildlife, they said I have permission to destroy her since it's out of season, but they had no one who could come down from near Frankfort about 100 miles north of me. I've decided to let her rest & keep an eye on her, if she gets worse then I'll decide if it's time to put her out of her misery but I'm going to give her a chance to heal. I've been watching this deer & her two siblings since they were about a week old. The old doe had triplets (2 does & 1 buck) two years ago in the thicket leading to our pond & they've been lucky enough to survive two hunting seasons so I'm especially concerned for their continued welfare. Thanks for the support & I'll let you know how things go.

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), June 20, 2002.

Sounds prudent. :) Hope she feels better.

I would consider a one time antibiotic, like LA200, banamine for pain and swelling, even perhaps some dexamethizone. Of course this may throw her into worse shock as it would be quite the trick to administer. Also some electrolites in her water and probiotics or even baking soda and mineral, in her food. Just me. :)

-- Patty (SycamoreHollow@aol.com), June 20, 2002.

If the knee joint is bowing out, then it is most likely ligament damage, as it is the ligaments that maintain the integrity of joints.

If the ligaments are torn through/broken or overly stretched, then the knee will always be either weak or unstable or both, unless surgery is done.

As to options, the others have voiced the practical ones.

She may be able to get along very well if you feed and take care of her. So, I guess it depends on how you feel about having a possible semi-tamed deer around your place.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), June 20, 2002.

Try adding 8-10 regular strength asprins to the sweet feed. Can you get any Dexamethasone? I'd shoot it if it isn't better in 3 days. Imagine a line from left ear to right eye and right ear to left eye forming an X. Shoot just right of that X as you face her. Now if you have preditors about you might imagine her better off dead now.

-- Snowprancer (f@b.com), June 20, 2002.

Hi Kathy,just wanted to know how it turned out as we have got a very similar situation here in England.

-- paul sloan (paul.hydes@btopenworld.com), February 28, 2004.