Just saw a deer...never saw this before...any ideas?

[ishiwannabe]

I just had a herd browse through my front yard. four Yearlings, two mature does, and one HUGE old girl.
The old girl was fat and healthy looking(as were the others), but her tongue was hanging out(about five inches) and she was salivating. No visible signs of swelling or damage. It wasnt just a few minutes, I watched these deer for about fifteen, twenty minutes. Her tongue was hanging the whole time....even while she munched on my landscaping. There was almost a constant "string" of spit hanging off the tongue.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this? Any ideas? I am wondering if she ate something slightly toxic, or if it is worse?

No, I couldnt get pics because I was holding the 15 month old "deer spotter"...he literally checks the windows and doors every few minutes, and once he spots one, will not rest until the whole household looks. Think thats bad you should see what does when he sees my bow or arrows...

Thanks for looking.

[ChuckC]

the salivating could simply be because her tongue is hanging out the side of her mouth.

Might be a lot of things ..  minor stroke ? Maybe she bit her tongue  (hey  it hurts !) and is keeping it out of the way now.  Maybe she is just goofy !

 I probably doubt she has that blue tongue now.

ChuckC

[Boomerang]

She probably licked a flag pole!  :D

[bbassi]

has she been running away from Mikey?      

[yaderehey]

Originally posted by ishiwannabe:

The old girl was fat and healthy looking(as were the others), but her tongue was hanging out(about five inches) and she was salivating. No visible signs of swelling or damage. It wasnt just a few minutes, I watched these deer for about fifteen, twenty minutes. Her tongue was hanging the whole time....even while she munched on my landscaping. There was almost a constant "string" of spit hanging off the tongue.

[yaderehey]

Originally posted by ishiwannabe:

The old girl was fat and healthy looking(as were the others), but her tongue was hanging out(about five inches) and she was salivating. No visible signs of swelling or damage. It wasnt just a few minutes, I watched these deer for about fifteen, twenty minutes. Her tongue was hanging the whole time....even while she munched on my landscaping. There was almost a constant "string" of spit hanging off the tongue.

Has CWD ever been identified in your area?   Drooling is one very common symptom of CWD.

[Killdeer]

Do you grow jalapenos?
Could she have a bit of briar caught back there?

Oh, that's right, there aren't any thorns in New York...
Killdeer

[straitera]

Did you notice with her any walking problems? Did she stumble or sway? Not out of the question to call state wildlife and describe to them.

BTW, My dog fetches my judos. She freaks when I pick up my bow.

[str8sh2ter]

Was she unussually fat / as maybe swollen or bloated?I  hope it's not CWD ,i'm in NY also.
 Do Deer gwet a fever?like from a wound or infection type thing?

[Doug S]

I have seen or heard of it 2 or 3 times. A Kudu I shot in Namibia had a broken jaw and had lost control of his tongue. I think that was the case with the 2 deer also. Can't really remember the details.

[deermaster1]

i would cal the dept of game and fisheries and just talk to em about it, to get some info about it, and if they are concerned, they could look into it further if they felt it was important.  interesting thing to see, thanks for sharing.

[mdwatts]

As stated previously, it would be good to contact DNR.

[ishiwannabe]

No, she was walking fine....eating. No sign of injury or deformation. Her jaw looked fine, except her tongue was out. Her mouth was closed except a little to allow the tongue hanging...
CWD has been in NY, but in Oneida, about 3 hours northwest of here. That was two years ago, and I havent heard of a case since. Blue tongue did hit this summer, but it has been way too cold for bugs.
Killy...I do grow jalapenos, habeneros and many other varieties of hot peppers. Didnt think of that.
She was still lead doe, so Im thinking it isnt a sickness or injury.

[No-sage]

She was just goading you, daring you on to miss.... I mean shoot her.

[Friends call me Pac]

She might of had a stopped up nose and it was the only way she could breath.  Kind of like me this past weekend in my treestand.

[ishiwannabe]

Right Keith? They know Im telling ya.

I see these deer every day, usually more than once. Im gonna keep my eye on her and if waranted, call DEC. I will let everyone know how it goes.

[Dave Bulla]

My first thought was also some sort of stroke or Bells Palsey type thing but I have no idea if these even occur in deer.

[TradOnly]

I just did some research.  There's at least one posting of this happening to deer.  The general consensus is nerve damage from injury or some type of stroke.  Get your camera ready for the next sighting.

[GRAYBEARD]

DEFINITELY CALL FISH AND GAME DEPT.!!

[Zbone]

Seen this condition before on a captive whitetail buck, but have forgotten what they said causes it.