Whitetail Deer Farmer
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Deer Health
You can find info on this
page to help you raise healthy Deer.
More medicines can be
found on the
Suppliers page of this web site
Caution ! The medicines and cures on this page are NOT an exact science.
They are cures that have worked for other deer farmers and compiled on
this single page for you to use.
What works for some may not work for others.
Every animal is special and needs its own special care. Deer farmers
know more about Deer than most vets.
I will be updating this info as time and input become available. Thank
you Wayne Pederson
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ADULT DEER SECTION
Administering Vitamins and Antibiotics
One thing that confuses quite a few people is that most liquid medications that you purchase will have the quantity in the bottle expressed in ML (millimeters) and most syringes that you buy will have the increments in CC's. To simplify, 1 ml and 1 cc are the same.
SC (subcutaneously), means under the skin between
the skin and the flesh. Give it in the area around the front shoulder
because it is easier to lift the skin away from the muscle
IM (intramuscular), means in the muscle. The rear
hip is a good location.
When you see The Directions that say SQ that is the only way it should be given.
If it says IM on the directions you can give the shot IM and also SQ.
When given IM the drug acts fast.
When given SQ it acts slow.
Some people give the IM shots, IM and SQ (double dose) at the same time.
The SQ injection gives a longer acting effect of the medicine due to the slower absorption into the system.
Antibiotics administered through darting is a poor choice as the amount dispensed by the dart is insufficient, and multiple darting is very stressful on the animal.
Shipping fever.
Shipping fever pneumonia is a respiratory disease of animals of multifactorial etiology with Pasteurella haemolytica and, less commonly, P multocida or Haemophilus somnus, being one of the infectious agents involved. Shipping fever pneumonia is associated with the assembly into feedlots of large groups of animals from diverse geographic, nutritional, and genetic backgrounds.
The pathogenesis of shipping fever pneumonia involves stress factors, with or without viral infection, interacting to suppress host defense mechanisms, which allows the proliferation of commensal bacteria in the upper respiratory tract. Subsequently, these bacteria colonize the lower respiratory tract and cause a bronchopneumonia with a cranioventral distribution in the lung. Multiple stress factors have been identified that are believed to contribute to the suppression of host defense mechanisms. Transportation over long distances serves as a stressor, and in association with transport, there may be exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, chilling and overheating depending on weather conditions, and exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes. Additional stressors include passage through auction markets, commingling, the handling on arrival at the feedlot, dusty environmental conditions, and nutritional stress associated with a change to high-energy rations in the feedlot. The individual viral and bacterial etiologies, clinical signs, lesions, and treatment are under viral respiratory tract infections.
Control and Prevention
Prevention of shipping fever pneumonia should focus on reduction of the stressors that contribute to development of the disease. Animals should be assembled rapidly into groups, and new animals should not be introduced to established groups. Auction markets and mixing of animals from different sources should be avoided if possible. Transport time should be minimized, and rest periods, with access to food and water, should be provided during prolonged transport. Adaptation to high-energy rations should be gradual. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies should be corrected. Dust control measures should be used. Preventive medication with antibiotics is a consideration for animals judged to be at a particularly high risk for developing shipping fever pneumonia at the time of arrival to the feedlot.
The administration of vaccines on entry to the new farm has been reported to increase the mortality associated with shipping fever pneumonia. Vaccinations for the viral and bacterial components of shipping fever pneumonia should be given 2-3 wk before transport and can be repeated on entry to the new farm.
Albon 12.5% Solution
- Albon is effective in the treatment of shipping fever complex and
bacterial pneumonia associated with Pasteurella spp. sensitive to
sulfadimethoxine; and calf diphtheria and foot rot associated with
Fusobacterium necrophorum (Sphaerophorus necrophorus) sensitive to
sulfadimethoxine in cattle. Administer in drinking water or to
individual cattle as a drench. In cattle, only
Coccidiosis
Is a disease commonly found in younger animals
under a year old. Coccidiosis is very common during wetter weather but
is also common when animals are confined to a smaller area. It causes
diarrhea with watery feces, and in sever infections the diarrhea may
contain streaks of blood. Most incubation periods are from
Coccidiosis can damage the lower small intestines, cecum, and the colon of deer. Animals can die from long periods of this disease from dehydration, sever weight lose, and pneumonia from becoming weak. It is a parasite that attaches to intestines and deer cannot get nutrition from their food and will just become a pile of bones and die.
Adult Deer can be treated with Corid in their
drinking water.
Fawns can be treated with 3 cc Corid put in the bottle with their formula. (See Fawn Section)
Worming with Safe-guard, Rumatel, Ivomec injectable and Valbazen
One time you should use Safeguard and the next Rumatel. When you handle the deer you should use Ivomec injectable.
Safeguard does not treat all worms associated with whitetail deer, it also will not address bacteriologic problems or protozoan parasites
Changing the different wormers insures that sooner or later you get everything and they don't set up a resistance to the wormers.
A good practice is to worm 3 times a year.
Worm about 2 months before fawning for first time then in 30 days again so this would mean that next worming is about a month before fawning. And then again in the fall after first frost in the North.
It is recommended to wait until the fawns are 3 months old to de-worm if warranted. (IE: fecal sample reveals infestation.) Use the same deworming product as you use on the adult deer.
To insure that each animal gets its required amount of Safeguard, at least 3 days in advance cut back on the volume of feed until they clean it up each day. (Most Deer don't like the taste of Safeguard so mix it with liquid molasses to a point that it almost sticks together the night before and let it soak in.) Then mix the soaked Safeguard pellets with an amount of feed to bring it back up to this volume.
Use
It is recommended to use double the dose for deer that it says for cattle. It wise to worm them before grazing starts.
VALBAZEN Wormer If you can't give orally, it can be administered like Safeguard in the feed. To insure that each animal gets the required amount of Valbazen, at least 3 days in advance cut back on the volume of feed until they clean it up each day. Mix the Valbazen with this volume of feed.
Some deer farmers have successfully used Ivomec Drench for Sheep .08% Solution, Safe-guard liquid and Valbazen in the drinking water. It's easy to administer.
A word of caution! Ivomec is not to be injected IM. It will cause a very severe abscess in the muscle.
If you can control the water in the pen, then you can use the injectable form of Ivomec in a pail or two of drinking water.
Use a double cattle dose in a pail of water.
An adult drinks between 1 and
Lumpy Jaw or food impaction.
Arterial worms seems to be associated with food impaction, in a pocket around the jaw.
Piperazine salts are recommended for treatment of arterial worms (100mg/lb. body weight) administering by mouth is effective except in the case where the worms have entered the cerebrum. Check with your Vet!
Piperazine is available wherever horse remedies are sold. Also, be sure that this pocket is not filled with abscess fluids (aspirate with a sterilized needle). If it is filled, it may be wise to drain and flush the pocket, leaving it open to heal from the inside out.
"Warts".
Are generally harmless and fall off on their own.
Heel Fly or Warble flies
looks like a small puncture wound or like a huge pimple. Take a pinch of black pepper and dab in puncture or hole. You will see a small black head protrude in and out. Take a small tweezers while someone holds fawn and reach in and pull it out. keep the area clean and it will heal up.
Ticks Fly's and Mosquitoes
Put garlic in your feed. It comes in a powder form and should be added at a rate of 5 -
You can order powdered garlic from
John White Co. ph. 205-595-8381
E-mail orders@johnrwhite.com
Sulfur salt block is also believed to help ward of insects
You can also spray a 10%
Pemethrin based spray on any area or completely over a deer with no ill effects. You can also spray their pens with it.EHD by Tim Condict
EHD stands for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease. It is related to Blue Tongue with the same symptoms. It is an insect borne infectious disease of some big game species. It can kill most of your deer if it gets started. It is more common in southern states.
EHD Signs & Symptoms
Pyrexia is the first visible sign. As the disease progresses the animal will lose its appetite and wariness. Edema or swelling of the head and neck will occur. The victim becomes dehydrated and weakens with increased respiration, heartbeat, and salivates excessively. As the disease progresses further, ulceration of the dental pad and tongue occurs and will eventually pass blood from both ends. In prolonged cases or those surviving, sloughing of the hooves may occur. In most cases, whitetails die within 48-72 hours after being infected.
The ingredient you want is 10% pemethrin which is also a brand name. You should be able to get it at the feed store or from the vet. I saved my deer when I had EHD by running them through my chute and soaking them with Pemectrin which is 10% pemethrin. I then sprayed my pens with Pemectrin. I gave each adult deer 20cc LA 200, 6cc Baytril, and 10 cc Dexamethasone. It stopped the EHD cold.
Starting July 10th of each year I spray my pens with pemectrin, I worm all of my deer with Ivomec pour on (in the feed), and repeat every 2 1/2 weeks until mid September.
These are the things to hopefully prevent EHD OR
BLUETONGUE. I spray all my pens completely with pemectrin or pemectrin.
Both of these sprays active ingredient is 10% pemectrin. If a deer gets
close enough I spray it also. I spray the trees over my water tanks; it
has been reported that they congregate in these trees and swarm the deer
when they come to drink. I turn my water tanks over while I'm spraying.
I spray in my sheds and all around my feeders but try not to get any in
my feed. I change the water daily and add 1 cap full of bleach to the
water, depending on how many deer are in the pen, usually about 6-10
does and their fawns. (I use the cap off of my gallon jug of bleach.)
Starting on the 10th of July I worm my deer with Ivomec pour on or some
other comparable brand as long as its alcohol based.( It will be blue in
color.) I mix the wormer at 1 1/2 times the rate called for. I mix this
wormer in the feed. I mix it a few hours before I feed them. I worm
again the same way the 24th of July. I worm again the 14th of August. I
spray my pens every 2 weeks until the end of Sept. I start the 12th of
July putting aueromyicin on my feed and quit for two days after worming
and then resume. I only top-dress my feed with it. I put about 1 cup for
every four adults in the pen and 1 cup for every 8 fawns. I buy it in
Thin Deer
Rice bran is a good way to increase your fat content. Rice bran is 20 % fat so a little goes a long way. I mix mine at 5 to 1. 5 parts feed to 1 part rice bran. Plus the deer really like it. You might have problems finding it. Not everyone carries it. Steve Kennedy sells rice bran in his store and gets it through Buckeye Feeds.
Steve Kennedy
6621
Alt. Phone: 614-2602-5090 cell
Fax: 614-878-1277
E-mail:skenne1@aol.com
Long hooves
This is called foundering and is a sign of too high of protein in their diet and a deficiency of vitamin D. If you have them eating straight green alfalfa you will need to cut then back to lower the protein intake.
Also reduce the amount of corn
You will need to trim the hooves.
Foot rot
Foot rot comes from bacteria that is in the soil. A deer's immune system can normally fight this off with no problems. If it becomes a problem, there are vaccines for foot rot. For best results the animals should be receiving free choice minerals providing 40-80 mg zinc as zinc methionine per day.
The best preventative for foot rot is a Sulfur Salt Block. A sulfur block put next to a salt block in a pen will help protect the animals using the salt block to be free from ticks and other parasites. Sulfur is also believed to work as an insect repellant.
If you do put him down and find foot
rot lance then drain it and use a foot rot treatment soak.
Here's a couple of things that are used as a foot bath:
1. Liquid hoof bath made with 5% Copper Sulfate (Bluestone) solution in water. Can often get Bluestone at feed stores.
2. Dry hoof bath made from 1 part Copper Sulfate and 9 parts hydrated lime.
3. Soak the hoof in NDL,, Foot Rot and Ringworm Treatment,
NDL from Livestock Concepts for Foot Rot manufactured by New Decade Laboratories Farmington MN 55024,
Follow the directions on the bottle,
Volar Footrot Bacterin
is the newest commercial vaccine available providing 40-80 mg zinc and did not have the bad side effects that many others had.Also it works great because only 3cc is required and can be given IM or SC which means it can be darted if necessary.
LA 200
is not the same as penicillin. LA200 is best used as a respiratory drug or for foot problems or for shipping fever. Penicillin is best used for infections.LA 200
is oxytetracycline a BACTERIA STAT. controls bacteria by preventing reproduction.Penicillin
, various kinds are BACTERICIDES, they actually kill the bugs.After this treatment, get a
Sulfur salt block and cut a small portion from one, crush it up and use it as a top dress on their feed for 2 weeks, place a Sulfur salt block in each pen and keep the salt block off the ground so that rain will drain off it.You can use this along with oxytetracycline in your water source as a possible preventative of EHD and many other ailments.
LS 50
lincomycin and Spectino-mycin works fairly well in drinking water.((Due to websites changing I have removed all the links below. You can put the item name in their search box and find the product at
pbs animal health ))Albon 12.5% Solution - Albon is effective in the
treatment of shipping fever complex and bacterial pneumonia associated
with Pasteurella spp. sensitive to sulfadimethoxine; and calf diphtheria
and foot rot associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum (Sphaerophorus
necrophorus) sensitive to sulfadimethoxine in cattle. Administer in
drinking water or to individual cattle as a drench. In cattle, only
Blu-Kote - Antiseptic protective wound dressing treats ringworm, surface wounds, cuts, galls, pad sores, etc. Aerosol formula is quick-drying and deep penetrating.
Bluelite - BLUELITE® C is designed for oral use in young calves prior to weaning. Mix BLUELITE® C into all fluids (water, milk or milk replacer) fed to calves showing signs of dehydration or body shrink as a result of disease, moving, handling or sorting.
Colostrx - Failure of Passive Transfer: COLOSTRX® supplies a guaranteed quantity of absorbable immunoglobulin to aid in the treatment of failure of passive transfer in newborn calves less than 24 hours old. Diarrhea Control: Serves as an aid in the prevention of scours by supplying antibodies that block the K-99 E coli process.
Covexin 8 - For the active immunization of healthy
sheep against diseases caused by Clostridium chauvoei, Cl. septicum, Cl.
haemolyticum (known elsewhere as Cl. novyi type D), Cl. novyi, Cl.
tetani, and Cl. perfringens types C and D. Although Cl. perfringens type
B is not a significant problem in the
Corid 9.6% Solution - Aids in the treatment and prevention of coccidiosis in calves. As a drench: Treatment - mix 3 oz/1 pt water and give 1 oz/100 lbs body wt daily for 5 days; Prevention - mix 1-1/2 oz/1 pt water and give 1 oz/100 lbs body wt daily for 21 days. In drinking water.
Dectomax - For treatment & control of internal and external parasites in cattle and swine, including gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, eye worms, kidney worms, grubs, sucking lice & mange mites. - Dectomax Injectable is a long-lasting, broad-spectrum product that removes and controls 36 stages of internal and external parasites, including adult and some larval stages. By controlling some of these parasites for as long as 28 days, Dectomax not only removes parasite infestations, it actually prevents new infections by preventing eggs from being shed on pasture for up to 8 weeks.
Electrolyte - Formulated to provide essential
electrolytes and special direct-fed microbials, a source of live
(viable), naturally occurring microorganisms. Highly palatable,
non-gelling formula. Mix
Levamisole Soluble Wormer - Powerful, fast-acting anthelmintic that controls lungworms, nodular worms and large roundworms Mix in their water the dose needed to medicate the pounds of deer in the pen and leave it until it is drank. Don't use this in the hottest time of the year. Gets worms that Safe-guard & Ivomec DO NOT kill
L-S 50 Soluble Powder - Is a good antibacterial Works great on E coli and Pneumonia.
Caution High doses of LA 200 have been known to cause abortion in pregnant Doe in the early and late stages of pregnancy.
LA 200 - is oxytetracycline a BACTERIA STAT. It is best used as a respiratory drug or for shipping fever controls bacteria by preventing reproduction. Caution should be used when administering high doses to pregnant Doe's as it may cause them to abort their fawns
Micotil® - (tilmicosin injection) is the proven,
fast-acting, long-lasting cost effective Bovine Respiratory Disease
therapy..DANGER
A death that resulted from an area cattleman
injecting himself with a livestock drug should be a reminder to farmers
and ranchers to use caution when medicating animals. Any amount of
Micotil 300 can be deadly. Even Elanco, the company that produces the
drug, says as much.
Before you can get a prescription for Micotil the vet and ag producer must have what's formally called a "veterinarian client patient relationship." That means the vet has examined the animals in some way within a reasonable amount of time before making the prescription.
Nuflor - is a broad spectrum antibiotic and is long acting, therefore, it works in the treatment of deer because you don't have to treat them everyday as you would with penicillin. It is a good drug to use for pneumonia.
Penicillin - is best used for infections. It is very underutilized in deer. (LA 200 is not the same as penicillin.) There is also a short, and long acting penicillin. Various kinds are BACTERICIDES, they actually kill the bugs. Any brand will be fine.
With Penicillin always use the long lasting kind. Give 4 or 5 times the recommended dosage when treating infections.
Probios Bovine One - Oral Gel Helps establish and maintain intestinal well-being in your incoming feedlot cattle, dairy cows/calves, veal calves, goats and sheep. Dairy cows: Administer 30 gms at freshening and 15 gms 7 days post-calving; Goats and sheep- 5gms. See label for beef cattle, veal and calf dosages. Gun features a lock-pin for ease in administering 5 cc, 10 cc or 15 cc doses.
7 % Tincture of Iodine - Apply once daily for cuts, abrasions, insect bites or bruises. Cleanses with soap & water. Excellent to paint baby navels at birth to reduce disease & bacteria entry.
TYLAN 200 - Antibiotic, For the treatment of disease in beef cattle, non-lactating dairy cattle & swine
VALBAZEN - Take the recommended cattle dose and mix
it with about a quart of water. Then pour this mixture over a
Vision-7 vaccine - developed for the cattle industry. Is used for Clostridium deficiency. Use the recommended dose.
Vitamin A-D Injectable - Sterile solution of vitamins in oil for use as a source of vitamins A & D3 in cattle, sheep & swine. Contains 500,000 IU vitamin A and 75,000 IU vitamin D3 per ml.
Vitamin B-Complex-Plus - For use in cattle, swine & sheep as a supplemental source of B-complex vitamins.
VITAMIN B12 1000MCG INJECTION - Each ml contains 1000 mcg cyanocobalamin- For use in vitamin B12 deficiency associated with cobalt deficiency in cattle and sheep, and for vitamin B12 deficiency associated with inadequate vitamin B12 intake or intestinal malabsorption in swine.
Volar Foot rot Bacterin - An aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted bacterin containing 2 strains of Fusobacterium necrophorum for use as an aid in the prevention and treatment of chronic Foot rot in sheep & prevention of acute foot rot in beef & dairy cattle. Dosage: Sheep-3 ml; Cattle-5 ml injected IM or subcutaneously in the neck, repeat in 3-4 weeks. Booster annually or when endemic conditions exist or exposure is imminent. For best results, sheep should be receiving a free choice mineral supplement providing 40-80 mg zinc per head per day.
Due to websites changing I have removed all the links above. You can put the item name in their search box and find the product at pbs animal health
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