GRAPHIC PHOTOS

Lazarus

Saturday- June 13, 2020

Today was another one of those days in the field that could make anyone feel defeated.

Thursday evening we received a call about an injured fawn who had been targeted by the homeowner's dog. The fawn was using their child's playhouse as a shelter and was favoring a front leg. They had called around for help and quickly realized how difficult it was to find assistance for these precious animals. They were continuously told "we're not licensed for fawn" and were even told by one rehabilitator that they would not accept an injured fawn because "it's just going to be shot in the Fall". Although a potentially true statement, a little too harsh for the public...especially since without Wildlife Rehabilitators, help for wildlife does not exist.

Due to Kent County having confirmed cases of CWD, we have strict limitations in fawn rehab and fortunately this caller was within our territory. Upon setting up a plan to help the animal, a storm rolled in and the fawn wandered back into the woods, unable to be found. We could only hope for the best, but the photo sent gave us reason to believe it was not only injured, but orphaned. The ears were curled at the tips, which is a sign of dehydration, there were flies on the rump, and the front right leg was definitely showing signs of having something wrong.

Today, a follow up text had been sent saying that the fawn was found by neighbors and it was in poor condition. We made arrangements for it to come here and upon getting back to Soulshine, I was able to better evaluate the little creature. He only weighed 2.36 kg (5.19 lb), was incredibly thin and dehydrated, his knees were swollen, he couldn't stand, and he was infested with maggots...thousands of them. I got to work, debriding wounds and using tweezers to yank out the parasites that had burrowed into his skin. He had three major cavities on his rump and groin area and after over an hour of attempting to clean him up, I knew I needed better amenities and more hands. I called Cedar Animal Hospital and asked to use a utility sink. 

Arriving at the vet, I was greeted with a team who believes in the Soulshine mission and had a Licensed Vet Tech assist me in pulling out maggots. We worked, side by side, irrigating wounds and flushing out his maggot-infested anus. Once the fawn was clear of creepy-crawlies, we did x-rays to have a better look at his legs and overall body composition. Fortunately, the legs didn't have any breaks and antibiotics and pain medication would have been a sufficient care plan (had he received help the initial day he was found).

By this time, the hospital owner, Dr. Nauta showed up to work Urgent Care and his wife (who is also a DVM) hopped on the fawn case with Ally and I. The three of us worked to warm the fawn back up as he was experiencing hypothermia. We pushed more subcutaneous fluid and Dr. Judy helped by giving multiple warm enemas in an attempt to warm him up faster and help rid of some of the stool and dead tissue. We had him on a heating pad, surrounded by rice bags, we created a towel tent to help hold in the warm air from the blow dryers, while also giving him oxygen and monitoring his heart rate with an EKG machine as Capture Myopathy was also a concern. This fawn was getting the royal treatment and we celebrated the small victories of the first time he blinked, swallowed, or kicked. We cheered under our breath as his temperature climbed, going from so low it didn't register on the thermometer to coming out of the red zone, and eventually hitting 99 degrees (normal being between 100-103). I asked Ally to name the fawn and "Lazarus" rolled off her tongue.

Little Lazarus confirmed our desire to be hopeful, he went from being eaten alive by bugs to surrounded by love and warmth, as people poured all of their time into trying to save his life, regardless if he would someday be shot, attacked by a predator, or hit by a car. He deserved that chance...they all do.

Thirty or so minutes later, the EKG machine flashed red and his heart rate was reading in the high 200's, then dropping to the 80's, and bouncing everywhere in between. This was it. This is what we all silently feared. His body went into shock. He was nonresposive and passed within a minute.

Tears streaming down our faces, that feeling of defeat creeped in. The sadness of the realization we had just spent five hours simply trying to stabilize a fawn...only to see him lay motionless on the table...cords, towels, syringes, tubing, gloves, chlorhexidine, blow dryers, karo syrup, paper towel, lactated ringers, and various other utensils used in this rescue mission all laying beside him. He took his last breath, his heart rate slowed, his eyes closed, and Dr. Judy pronounced him dead. 

This is how we do wildlife rehabilitation. We pour everything in our power into the animals who make their way to us. Even then, some don't make it. Regardless of the outcome, the cost is the same...none of what we do is free. Had this been a perfectly healthy fawn, his care would likely have cost the same as the emergency case it ended up being. 

Your support is what allows us to go above and beyond for the animals who make their way to us. Thank you. Our goal is to raise enough to cover the costs of today's tragedy and whatever extra there may be will go towards the next animal needing our help.

As I left the vet office, I walked out empty-handed, sat down in my vehicle and sobbed. Five hours had gone by and the amount of calls and texts from others in the community seeking help had piled up. Tears in my eyes, I sat there and responded to their requests. I then got back to Soulshine and looked at all the animals currently in care, it was time to feed and clean again. 

You see, a bad day in rehab doesn't change any of the responsibility work load...it all just continues, regardless of your mental state.

Thank you to everyone who believes in and supports Soulshine Wildlife Center...none of what we do would be possible without your generosity.

Let your soul shine, Lazarus. You will never be forgotten.

AC
Executive Director