Emergency care of injured wild deer: advice for companion animal practices

Abstract

Background: Tens of thousands of deer are hit by cars in the UK each year. Many die, many immediately run away despite injury, but some are incapacitated and a vet may be called to the animal by the driver, a passer-by or the police. Less often a deer is brought to a veterinary practice. Occasionally, vets may be asked to attend deer trapped in fencing or incapacitated in other ways. As more rural practices have come to serve companion animals only, and more wild deer have been moving into suburban and even urban environments, companion animal vets unfamiliar with deer have occasionally found themselves having to deal with these species.

Aim of the article: This article provides relevant information for situations where companion animal vets are tasked with dealing with injured wild deer, including legal, practical, ethical and welfare issues.