Injured Deer Undergoes Amputation Surgery

The deer was properly cared for in the hospital.

Xinhua News Agency, Dalian – Quietly lying in a specially designated 'ward' at the New Northern Pet Hospital, this docile Japanese Sika deer exuded gratitude towards its 'lifesavers.' On February 22nd, the Dalian Lushun Animal Rescue Team rescued the young deer, which was trapped on a railing near the Castle Hotel on Binhi Road. Due to the severity of the injuries and extensive lacerations, the pet doctors were forced to perform an amputation surgery.

On February 23rd, the reporter saw the deer, still recovering, at the New Northern Pet Hospital. Several doctors were feeding the little guy alfalfa. Although the wounds still hurt, the deer made no sound during dressing changes. 'The deer now eats two to three kilograms of alfalfa and deer food a day, but it is still injured and far less than its normal intake.'

Dr. Zhang Kaibo introduced that it was a male Japanese Sika deer, weighing over 50 kilograms. 'When the deer was rescued on February 22nd and brought to our hospital, the injuries were already very serious,' Zhang Kaibo introduced. 'The railing where the incident occurred was 1.5 meters high, with sharp spikes at the top. The young deer may have been trying to jump over the railing when the spikes pierced its thigh, followed by extensive tearing and trapping of its hooves, causing a fracture.' 'The rescue team discovered that the deer had been trapped for a whole night.'

It is reported that, although the doctors well knew the importance of the hind limbs to the deer, in order to preserve the little guy's life, they still performed an amputation surgery. 'The surgery lasted nearly eight hours.' Currently, the deer is recovering slowly.

Although one hind foot has been amputated, this young deer can still walk. 'However, the young deer will no longer be able to run and jump like other members of its kind.' Zhang Kaibo stated that New Northern Hospital and Lushun Animal Rescue Team are currently in contact with wild animal protection departments and qualified wild animal protection agencies, hoping to properly arrange the little guy's 'second life.'