Deer Me !!!

**wombat2u2004** · 05-04-2010, 08:57 AM

One pound deer - he is beautiful ! ! !

This tiny deer was delivered by Caesarean section
at a wildlife hospital after a car killed his mother.
Little Rupert, who is so small he can fit in an adult's
hand, was born after vets failed in their battle to
save his mother.

At just six inches tall and weighing just over a pound,
He is now in an incubator in the intensive care unit
at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire.
He has only recently opened his eyes.

Les Stocker, founder of Tiggywinkles, said,
"Rupert's mother had very severe injuries.
We brought him out and got him breathing,
and then he went into an incubator on oxygen.
He is now being fed by a tube."

Tucked up: Rupert in an incubator.

Rupert pulls a striking pose for the camera.
Staff members are optimistic that Rupert, now five days old,
will make a full recovery. "Deer are very, very tricky,
but this one has spirit.
He's an extremely feisty little guy and quite pushy,"
Mr. Stocker said.

Asleep: Rupert takes 40 winks.

**lvpets2002** · 05-04-2010, 09:23 AM

Yes this wittle & I mean wittle Baby is so Adorable & just a Cutie Pie..

**Catty1** · 05-04-2010, 09:49 AM

Sad update - RIP Rupert, you were so loved and had such devoted care...

http://www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk/rupert.html

Rupert's Story

Rupert
A heavily pregnant female Muntjac deer was admitted into our Hospital on 20th September after she was hit by a car in Aston Clinton, Bucks.
She had severe head, jaw and pelvic injuries and stayed in the deer intensive care wards for a few days. Sadly despite expert care, her injuries were too severe and she would not recover from them, and so the vet decided the kindest thing would be to put her to sleep.

As her pregnancy was so far advanced, the decision was taken to give her unborn fawn a chance. Rupert was delivered by Caesarean section on Thursday 25th September.

Rupert was very premature and taken immediately into intensive care. He was placed into an incubator with an oxygen supply and heat, and a soft vet bed so make him comfortable.

He was determined to be around 2 - 3 weeks early and his eyes were not open. Deer's eyes are open by the time they are born naturally.

He was unable to suckle initially and so was fed by tube initially with colostrum to mimic the protective feeds he would have received from his mother.

He was also given some deer rumen contents to help stimulate his digestive system and later moved onto lambs milk substitute and fed by bottle.
As he was so tiny and only taking very small amounts, he was fed hourly day and night.He remained here for a couple of days and was slowly starting to make some improvements. He was then taken on by our chief foster mum, Jacqui, where he could get round the clock care and attention from his new 'mum'.

He stayed with his foster mum for a couple of days, but despite constant care he deteriorated rapidly overnight and we were unable to pull him through.

We were always hopeful that he would have a chance of survival and everyone was upset with the sad demise. However, we did our best for him and gave him the best chance. We do know we can't win them all.

Luckily many of our stories have a much happier outcome and the work we do with all our casualties helps us give each and everyone the best possible care.

**lizbud** · 05-04-2010, 12:08 PM

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 05-05-2010, 08:57 AM

St Tiggys are wonderful - they are always willing to help WRAS with our rescues

**phesina** · 05-05-2010, 02:30 PM

Oh, how sweet.. So sorry he didn't make it. Rest in peace, little Rupert. In your very short life you became greatly loved.

What a lovely, heartwarming story. God bless the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, for making every effort on behalf of both mom and babe.