Fawn rescued. Need advice

[Dover]

My dog just came home with a very new fawn in his mouth, and it was bellowing its disapproval. It wasn't able to stand and I don't know if that's normal for a such a young fawn or not. If not I'll just leave it in the tall grass for awhile (the sun is now setting) and see if it's mother comes.

If it should be able to stand then it must be injured, in which case it should either be handed over to a wildlife rescue group or put to sleep.

Does anyone have any experience that could share some advice?

Thanks

[dogonarug]

1. Possibly in shock

If uninjured. Did you see any recent signs of birth?(gooey mess)Mom usually will stay with newborn till it stands and walks, might be your dog scared Mom off. Leaving the fawn in the grass alone will most likely lead to it's demise tonight.

Do you have a room where you can isolate it till morning? if so, keep in mind the fawn may likely find it's legs if left alone, an empty or uncluttered room would be best so the fawn could not injure itself...I would not try to put it in a box.

Left alone in a safe environment with some water till you can contact animal control is about all you can do for the fawn.

[RebelOne]

2. Try to take it back to where your dog found it.

Its mommy is probably looking for it. It is a known fact that if you see a fawn that you should never touch it.

[AlienGirl]

3. Find a wildlife rescue ASAP

The fawn's contact with the dog's saliva could put him at risk for infection, and if he's injured he needs a vet. It's illegal to have a wild deer without a license, so you can't raise him yourself.

Tucker

On edit: former wildlife rehabber talking.

[Dover]

4. So don't leave him out to see if his mother reclaims him?

I can take him to the wildlife rescue tomorrow. I have handled him too, so don't know if the mother will reclaim it.

[AlienGirl]

9. Not after being in a dog's mouth

The danger here is not that the mom would reject him, it's the bacterial exposure from being picked up and carried by a dog.

Hope everything goes well with the little guy!

Tucker

[IndyOp]

5. I would leave it out only if you can stay and watch it for a few hours

to see if mom returns. If mom doesn't return, take it home with you and make sure it stays warm. Mom may still take care of baby even if your dog and you have touched it -- I've heard it claimed that if a person or animal has touched a baby bird mom won't take care of it and that is not true (at least not for many bird species). Mom's recognize their babies by smell and all of the baby's smell is not gone.

Good luck!

[lukasahero]

7. True for birds only because 98% can't smell

so I wouldn't suggest that it is similarly true for mammals.

To the OP - I know I"m way late to the party on this but please call a wildlife rehabilitator in your area - both to see if they will take the fawn and to get qualified expert opinion as to how to handle the situation.

[fortyfeetunder]

6. The scent thing is a myth

If you can take fawn back to where you think it was. Mommy deer leave their young so they can feed. Mom deer will not reject on scent.

The biggest problem with fawn rescue is the fawn can imprint on the human. Therefore it has to be "trained" to be in captivity or be sent elsewhere. Have to seek advice from an animal rescue group.

[IndyOp]

8. It would make sense to me that the smell thing isn't not

critical for species that keep their young separate - as deer do with newborn fawns. Generally, mom would know her fawn because it would be where she left it.

How would the OP person know exactly where her dog found it? That is the problem I was thinking about. If she can put it back in the general location and mom is able to locate the fawn based on it's smell that would be the best possible outcome.

I doubt that the deer would find its' fawn by hearing the fawn because I am guessing that newborn deer are silent - their survival depends on their staying hidden from possible predators.

:kick:

[Lorien]

10. Yes, it's instinct is to flatten itself to the ground and remain

immobile. Fawns are said to have no scent of their own, which is one of the reason that immobility is one of it's best defenses. It may not be standing because it's trying to stay flat to the earth instead.

[AlienGirl]

11. Any updates on the fawn? n/t

[Dover]

12. Thank you all so much. Here's an update.

I left the fawn in the tall grass overnight, near the general area where I think my dog had snagged it. I kept an eye out for the mother, but none came. I had read on a wildlife site that sometimes the mother won't return for 48 hours if she thinks something is wrong or if there's a chance she might lead prey to the fawn with her scent. So this morning I checked for the fawn and it was gone!
Or at least I thought it was gone. But actually, after looking around more carefully, I saw it had repositioned itself under thicker brush several feet away. So I guess it COULD walk. But I was torn as to what to do...leave it and hope the mother found it, or take it to the wildlife rescue.

I did the latter, so it's in good hands. I hope it was the right thing to do.....

BTW - I've seen various opinions here about what to do, and particularly about the human scent issue. I read several wildlife websites last night looking for answers and they all suggested NOT touching the fawn. But if it was handled, it was recommended that you try to wipe it off with a clean towel that has been rubbed in the dirt. I did not do that because I had already left the fawn in the grass and didn't want to disturb it further.

[demnan]

13. I'm sure you did the right thing

Leaving it to its own devices for a longer period of time would be taking a chance on a coyote getting it. It was a good thing you were able to help the little baby in its distress.