Severe Roe Buck Head Infection

[@theroedeerguy]

I saw this poorly Roe buck earlier this morning but was unable to get a safe shot at him.
He was very laboured in his movement and just looked completely out of sorts.
Suspecting he wouldn’t have wandered far I managed to catch up with him in the afternoon and put a swift end to his suffering.
Massive infection on his head ultimately exposing his skull.
Body condition was approximately 50% of where he should have been and his carcass was condemned and disposed.
I’ve taken his head which I’ll clean up and see if there’s any indication of the cause.

 

[HonestJohn]

Perfect deer management there. Well done.

 

[Donkey Basher]

Watching with interest & +1 for doing the right thing.

 

[Ratel]

Possible rut injury, I've seen them with a head covered in maggots from fly strike on rut injuries.

 

[bottletopbill]

Well done for ending its miserable life and end the suffering.

 

[Namman]

I saw this poorly Roe buck earlier this morning but was unable to get a safe shot at him.
He was very laboured in his movement and just looked completely out of sorts.
Suspecting he wouldn’t have wandered far I managed to catch up with him in the afternoon and put a swift end to his suffering.
Massive infection on his head ultimately exposing his skull.
Body condition was approximately 50% of where he should have been and his carcass was condemned and disposed.
I’ve taken his head which I’ll clean up and see if there’s any indication of the cause.

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Could it be a cancerous growth ?
It doesn't look like any infections from trauma that I have seen.

 

[T.eddie]

As others have said well done for getting him

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Could it be a cancerous growth ?
It doesn't look like any infections from trauma that I have seen.

When I lived in NZ we had a few cattle develop cancer and it didn’t look like that buck, cancerous growths were bulbous and fleshy in appearance.

The top of the buck’s head was very hot to touch, had some visible pus and smelled absolutely rancid which is more in keeping of my previous experience of infected wounds.

 

[Namman]

When I lived in NZ we had a few cattle develop cancer and it didn’t look like that buck, cancerous growths were bulbous and fleshy in appearance.

The top of the buck’s head was very hot to touch, had some visible pus and smelled absolutely rancid which is more in keeping of my previous experience of infected wounds.

Only one way to find out !
Don't forget cancerous growths can become necrotic, ulcerated and infected.
Any way, well done for helping him.

 

[User00040]

Hopefully not another 'head shot gone wrong'...!

 

[HonestJohn]

I’m fairly sure what we are observing here is a parasitic infestation that’s manifested itself through- and - post velvet.

 

[Ade8mm]

Another from me.
Well done.

 

[Tuck]

Poor bugger, you definitely done him a favour

 

[exmarksman9870]

Did it have wire or pig metting wraped around it ?

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Did it have wire or pig metting wraped around it ?

No sign of anything having been attached, I’ve not managed to get him skinned yet, probably a job for tomorrow.

 

[CookM]

Did the right thing there sir.
Glad you got it the same day.

 

[nick.308]

looks like fly strike that its managed to shift. and then got laid on again by the looks. had a sheep maggoted recently that scabbed over similar and a week later had loads of pus coming out from under the scab.

 

[nick.308]

there might be maggots where the antler meets the skull? have a good look. flies are a far worse enemy than ticks imo

 

[25 Sharps]

there might be maggots where the antler meets the skull? have a good look. flies are a far worse enemy than ticks imo

Had this recently on a roe buck I shot, fly strike in the small cavity between the antlers and the skull. Wondered if it would have healed up post shed.

 

[Stalker62]

A good day's work.

Well done.