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For Tips on Bottle Feeding Deer (Fawns) Click Here
- The first tip is DO NOT TOUCH THE ANIMAL WITH YOUR BARE HANDS! The
second tip is make sure that it is really abandoned. Move far away and
observe. The mother may be gathering food and will come back after you
leave. After a period of time is determined to truly be abandoned or
wounded, please procceed. If a dog, cat or person touches a baby
animal, then the baby will need to be taken care of. Wear rubber or
gardening GLOVES. If no gloves are available, then use a plastic
grocery bag. DO NOT USE CLOTHES OR TOWELS SINCE THEY HAVE YOUR SCENT
ON THEM AND WILL LEAVE THIS SCENT ON THE ANIMAL. Wearing gloves serves
3 purposes. First, it minimizes the amount of foreign scent that the
animal can smell. This is important because all of these animals have
a much greater sense of smell than we do, and smelling a foreign scent
will greatly upset the animal, possibly even kill it. Second, it keeps
your scent off the animal, thereby increasing the animal's chances of
delivering it back to it's mother. Third, it protects you since these
cute little animals could also be carrying LICE, PARASITES, FLEAS,
LYME DISEASE, AND RABIES.
- Put the animal in a secure box or animal carrier. Keep it shut.
Keep personal pets away from the rescued animal since your pet's scent
could upset the animal.
- KEEP THE ANIMAL WARM by putting the box or carrier on top of
heating pad (test heat - wrap in towels if too warm) set on low.
- Use dry grass, leaves, or shredded paper towels for nesting
material. Do not use clothes because of the scent problem.
- Call your local veterinarian or your local wildlife shelter for
advice or help; or bring it to Frisky's if you live close to Howard
County, MD (best time to call is the afternoons at (410) 418-8899)
NOTE: IT IS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW TO HAVE WILDLIFE IN CAPTIVITY if
you are not licensed to do so. Fines are given all the time on this,
even if you are trying to help the animal.
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If you can't reach Frisky's or the Local Vet, and you
feel you must do something to prevent the animal from dehydrating or
dying, then boil some water. This can be done easily using a small
amount in a coffee cup in the microwave. Once it has completely
cooled, give it to the animal to drink with an eye dropper. Start with
a few drops. If it is an infant and needs formula, it should have a
special wildlife formula not available to the public, but a few drops
of human infant formula WITH IRON can be given. Wild mammals feed or
nurse their young every 1/2 hour during daylight hours.
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After feeding, place the animal on it's stomach on
your gloved open left hand. Hold firm enough to keepm the animal still
and stroke it with your gloved right hand to get out any air. In other
words, help it "burp."
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Next, take a Q-tip and cover it with Vaseline or
Triple Antibiotic like Neosporin. Gently stroke the animals anal area
with the Q-tip to encourage bowel movement. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
STIMULATE BOWEL AND BLADDER MOVEMENT TO PREVENT A BLOCKAGE. Many, many
animals die due to intestinal problems.
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Now, leave the animal ALONE until the next feeding.
Keep it in a QUIET area, and keep family, friends and pets away. Don't
try to overfeed the animal, thinking it will give them strength. The
stress of new formula may cause diarrhea and could decrease the
animal's chances of survival.
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Take your found orphan to Frisky's or your local
licensed Wildlife Sanctuary.
NOTE: Frisky's never charges for the care of sick or wounded animals.
Donations for the care of the animals is encouraged and all donations
are tax-deductible.
FRISKY'S WILDLIFE AND PRIMATE SANCTUARY
10790 Old Frederick Road
Woodstock, MD 21163
(410) 418-8899
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