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Managing antler problems in deer
Author(s) -
Fletcher John,
Foster Aiden,
Goddard Pete,
McSloy Alex
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inp.i5271
Subject(s) - antler , mammal , wildlife , biology , geography , zoology , ecology
Antlers are one of the most amazing features of the mammal kingdom. They are, in mammals, the fastest growing tissue and the only example of the regeneration of an entire organ. Veterinarians encounter deer as a result of road traffic accidents, as young animals being bottle‐reared, or when veterinary problems occur in farmed or park deer or in animal collections. This article aims to provide information about antlers in terms of their growth and associated abnormalities, and discusses the particular issues faced by practitioners when dealing with castrated deer (especially reindeer) and orphan male calves.