Deer (Native and introduced free-ranging British species)

Deer (Native and introduced free-ranging British species)

Note: Where there is a risk that deer may be taken for human consumption following release the maximum residue limits (MLR) for the pharmaceutical product used should be taken into account (see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maximum-residues-limits-mrl) and released animals marked with an ‘EAT NOT’ tag (see: https://bdva.co.uk/tag/tags/) where drugs (such as sedatives) are used that are not permitted in food producing animals.

Drug	Dose	Comments
Anaesthetics: Note handling, method of drug delivery (hand versus dart) and deer species all greatly affect efficacy of the drug combinations used
Detomidine*	In combination with zolazepam/tiletamine and butorphanol for sedation in sika and fallow deer: ◦ Detomidine* (0.25 mg/kg) + zolazepam/tiletamine (2.5 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.025 mg/kg)a	Generally consistent induction dependent on excitatory state Cardiovascularly stable Partially reversible with atipamezole (see below) Deep sedation Prolonged recovery even with reversal
Medetomidine	In combination with butorphanol for sedation in roe deer: ◦ medetomidine (0.4 mg/kg) + butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) i.m.a In combination with ketamine ◦ medetomidine (0.05–0.1 mg/kg) + ketamine (0.8–3.2 mg/kg) i.m.c In combination with zolazepam/tiletamine ◦ Medetomidine (0.08–0.12 mg/kg) + zolazepam/tiletamine (0.7–1.3 mg/kg) i.m. In combination with butorphanol and azaperone (BAM) see below	Medetomidine and butorphanol can be reversed using atipamezole and naltrexone* respectively Low volume required if concentrated medetomidine products are used Roe deer can be very resistant to alpha 2 drugsa
Xylazine	In combination with zolazepam/tiletamine for sedation in red deer: ◦ xylazine (1 mg/kg) + zolazepam/tiletamine (1.25 mg/kg)a	Relatively rapid induction Consistent response independent of season Main component is reversible with yohimbine if available Expensive Slow and ataxic recovery
Butorphanol	In combination with azaperone and medetomidine (BAM) ◦ Buprenorphine (B) (0.41–0.62 mg/kg) + azaperone* (A) (0.14–0.21 mg/kg) + Medetomidine (M) (0.9–0.25 mg/kg) i.m.c For doses in combination with detomidine and zolazepam/tiletamine for sedation in sika and fallow deer see above For doses in combination with medetomidine for sedation of roe deer see above	‘BAM’ (a mixture of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine) is marketed by Wildlife Pharmaceuticals Inc. USA The BAM combination provides a smooth induction with the deer rapidly becoming recumbent, and a quick recoveryc Butorphanol and medetomidine can be reversed using naltrexone and atipamezole respectively Has been used extensively in fallow and white-tailed deerc
Zolazepam/tiletamine	For doses in combination with detomidine and butorphanol for sedation in sika and fallow deer see above For doses in combination with medetomidine see above For doses in combination with xylazine for sedation in red deer see above
Atipamazole	0.5 mg/kg i.m.c	Reversal of medetomidine and detomidine
Naltrexone*	0.25 mg/kg i.m.c 0.75 mg/kg s.c.c	Reversal of buprenorphine
Yohimbine	0.3 mg/kg i.v. or i.m.c	Reversal of xylazine Currently no authorised product in the UK
Analgesics:
Meloxicam	0.5 mg/kg given once every three days i.v., i.m., s.c., p.o. a 0.2 mg/kg s.c. q24h (reindeer)b	Injectable formulation has been shown to last 3 days in reindeerd Oral formulation has been used in neonates and juveniles at the same dose every 3 daysa Prolonged use of NSAIDs should be avoided because of the risk of renal damagee
Flunixin*	1.1 mg/kg i.v., i.m. q12hb 2.21 mg/kg i.v., i.m. q24hb	Requires more frequent dosing than meloxicam Prolonged use of NSAIDs should be avoided because of the risk of renal damagee
Ketoprofen	2 mg/kg i.v., i.m. q24hb 3 mg/kg s.c. q24 for 3 daysc	Requires more frequent dosing than meloxicam Prolonged use of NSAIDs should be avoided because of the risk of renal damagee
Methadone	0.5 mg/kg i.v, i.m.c	Half-life is approximately 8hrsc
Morphine	0.3 mg/kgb	Can be combined with sedative agents
Antibiotics : Antibiotic use (both appropriate and inappropriate) imposes a powerful selection pressure on bacteria and is the primary driver of antibiotic resistance. Eliminating unnecessary use in people and animals is, therefore, essential to safeguard this invaluable resource. Prudent use is especially indicated where treated wild animals are being returned to the wild. The reader is referred to the Guidelines for responsible antibiotics use, for further information (https://www.bsavalibrary.com/content/formulary/backmatter/exotic-petsguidelinesforresponsibleantibacterialuse)
Amoxicillin	15 mg/kg i.m. q48hb	Limited published evidence
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (co-amoxiclav)	8.75 mg/kg i.m. q24hb	Limited published evidence
Enrofloxacin	5 mg/kg i.m. q24hb	Published evidence in Brocket deer Fluroquinolones should ideally be reserved for infections where culture and sensitivity testing predict a clinical response and use of first- and second- line antimicrobials would not be considered effective Avoid in neonatal or juvenile growing deer
Oxytetracycline	20–40 mg/kg i.m., s.c. q48hb,c	Published evidence for use in UK deer species Dose dependent duration of action
Procaine penicillin	15 mg/kg i.m. q24hb	Limited published evidence
Trimethoprim sulphonamide	15—20 mg/kg s.c. q24hb,c	Published evidence in reindeer
Parasiticides : Parasiticide use in wildlife may reduce the development of natural resistance to parasites, as well as exerting selection pressure on organisms which can lead to drug resistance and may risk environmental contamination. Careful selection and use of these drugs, only where there is a clinical need, and then using narrow spectrum products, is essential where treated wild animals are being returned to the wild. Reader is referred to the joint BVA, BSAVA and BVZS policy statement
Ivermectin	0.2 mg/kg p.o., s.c. (most species)b 0.3 mg/kg s.c. (reindeer)b 0.5 mg/kg topicallyb	Topical treatment is not recommended unless there is not alternative option available Association has been made between ivermectin treatment and reduced antler length in red deer
Fenbendazole	20 mg/kg p.o. daily for 5dsb	The suggested dose is higher than that used by other authors (10–15 mg/kg)
Moxidectin	0.2 mg/kg s.c. (most species)b 0.4 mg/kg s.c. (reindeer)b 0.5 mg/kg topicallyb	Topical treatment is not recommended unless there is not alternative option available
Toltrazuril	20 mg/kg p.o.b	Coccidia are rarely a clinical concern in deer Doses of up to 40 mg/kg have been used in red deer calves

NSAID(s) = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(s).

*Drugs authorized for use in species not listed in the BSAVA Small Animal Formulary; refer to data sheet for more information.

References and further reading

a Heawood K (2025) Anaesthesia, euthanasia, restraint and sedation in deer. Deer Veterinary Medicine, ed. A Foster, pp. 51–62. Wiley

b Heawood K (2025) Cervine formulary. Deer Veterinary Medicine, ed. A Foster, pp. 435–457. Wiley

c Varga M (2016) Deer. BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties, 2nd edition, ed. E Mullineaux and E Keeble, pp. 275–298. BSAVA Publications, Gloucester.

d Nurmi H, Laaksonen S, Raekallio M and Hänninen L (2022) Wintertime pharmacokinetics of intravenously and orally administered meloxicam in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 49(4), 423–428

e Stern AW, Ritchey JW, Hall B, Ketz-Riley CJ and Genova SG (2010) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated renal papillary necrosis in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 22(3), 476–478

British Deer Veterinary Association https://bdva.co.uk

BSAVA Library https://www.bsavalibrary.com/

BVA, BSAVA, BVZS joint policy statement: Responsible use of parasiticides https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/our-policies/responsible-use-of-parasiticides-for-cats-and-dogs/