Dandy the Reindeer

As you will know, yesterday I went to the Llama Park at Ashdown Forest and there I came across Dandy, a two year old Reindeer. I had just been looking at a rather cheeky Llama when I noticed that two vets and a keeper had gone in with the herd of Reindeer, I wondered if something was up because everytime you went near them they ran towards you and it was a run that was filled with excitement. I found out that they kept going up to everyone because they hadn't been fed. Dandy a two year old Reindeer was going to be castrated as he was nearing sexual maturity and they didn't want any more babys as they had two last year and also, a Reindeer the same age as Dandy wore himself out in the Rutt last year and died and they didn't want that to happen to Dandy, so it was best to get him castrated.
I asked the vet if he minded if I watched and also took photo's if I didn't get in the way, to my delight he said it was fine to stay and take pictures.....how exciting was that, although my mum was a little like "what they are going to do it here in the field", she thought Dandy was going to be taken to the surgery.....she is soppier than me!
I have recorded what happened to Dandy, not brilliant pics as I didn't want to get in the way and apart from the constant camera clicking I didn't want there to be lots of "Oh Bothers" from me because I had got the wrong setting, so I left it on Auto and just hoped for the best.Here we go.........

Dandy's Story

Dandy had just received his sedation and was a little wobbly

A bit more wobbly and he was holding up with his chin on the gate

After only between 3 - 5 mins Dandys legs gave way and he was down

Time for the two vets to "Clean the Bits"

Opening up the theatre pack

It only takes a snip

Dandy's eyes were covered throughout the operation, his eyes were closed before the towel went on but it protected his eyes incase they flickered open.
Operation over and on goes the blue antibiotic spray....Dandy's owner and park owner is watching over Dandy too.

Time to support dandy for when he wakes up, Tom his keeper is giving a helping hand

Time to give the reversal drug

At this point I was chatting to the vets again and they laughed that I had guessed the right time as to how long it would take them to do the castration.....10 mins. I asked how long it would be for Dandy to come round from the anaesthetic and they said between 10 - 45 mins, I asked if it was the same anaesthetic that was used on Dogs and cats and it is apparantly a newish one that is being used on male dogs and cats.
So now we wait for Dandy to spring into action......after 10mins Dandy was still sleepy

After 45 mins we have one eye open

By now I was getting a little worried and asked the vets about anaesthetic reaction, I said that obviously Dandy had been given the right amount but did they think he was having a reaction to the anaesthetic as just the same in humans you don't know how anyone is going to react until you give them something. They said they thought Dandy was just recovering a little slowly but that they were hopeful he would be round shortly and that they were going to stimulate him to get him moving......it's the same in humans, the quicker you get moving the quicker the sedation wears off.
Here is a series of shots of them trying desperately to get a drunk looking Dandy to his feet









This went on and on and after nearly 3hrs post his surgery, Dandy still wasn't really waking up fully and was not able to hold his head up by himself. My instincts were telling me all was not well but the vets were still hopefull that Dandy was going to be ok and he was just coming round incredibly slowly. At this point I had to leave to come home, I said goodbye to Dandy and thanked him for letting me be a part of his surgery, wished him well and told the vets to look after him. On my way out I saw the owner of the park and said I would call in the morning to see how Dandy was and that I thought she would have a few phone calls because a lot of people had been asking about Dandy and how he had got on.
Last night I posted about the park and left posting about Dandy until today as I wanted to bring his full story to you and how I was able to watch something that for me was a once in a lifetime experience and post all the sequence of shots that captured every moment with Dandy, Tom his keeper, Tony the vet who operated and is a specialist vet for Reindeer and Jo who was the other vet in attendence.
This morning I phoned the park and was given the sad news that Dandy had to be put to sleep, he never fully recovered, the vets were with him till 8pm last night and he was not showing any signs of improving, he had had an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic and the kindest thing was to put him to sleep.
They were devastated at the park and it had hit them really hard because of Dandys age plus he was a lovely friendly Reindeer and he had only had a simple castration but anaesthetics are tough to call and they were doing what was best for Dandy, he could have worn himself out in the rutt or been bullied and killed by a big stag, sometimes horrible things just happen and we have to somehow deal with them as best we can.
I think Dandy will be missed by his herd members from what I have been told but also he will be incredibly missed by the park staff. I feel honoured to have shared a little bit of his life, albeit a sad part of his life but he is certinly one reindeer I will never forget and will hold close to my heart, I just wish the outcome and news could have been so different this morning.

Night Night Dandy, Sleep tight

littlewid-x-

Thanks for sharing your experience, as you say something that would only come once. Great link shots of the process Dandy went through, and from what they said it was for Dandy's own safety. Such a shame that he did'nt come round, but I've noticed on a lot of the Vet programes that there's alway a worry about anaesthetics, and how an animal will react, unfortunatly it was one of those times it went wrong for Dandy, and I'm sure the staff were devastated.
RIP Dandy
WS

Thanks Doogs and WS. I still feel upset by what happened to Dandy even though it originally started out as a procedure for his own good, these things do happen but it is never nice when it does happen.

I think I must have the last shots of Dandy before the surgery and also afterwards. I am planning on getting the head shot of Dandy eating printed and giving it to the Park in a frame so that they have a reminder of him on that day when he was well and happy. They have photo's of the animals so I think they would like that.

littlewid-x-

Oh dear Littlewid, that is such a sad ending for such a beautiful looking reindeer, I was so enjoying your wonderful photos and storyline and then got to the sad bit. I know these things happen all the time but what a tragic loss for all concerned.

A lovely idea to give them a photo of Dandy looking handsome and well.


RIP Dandy a beautiful young reindeer who will be missed by the others in the herd and all at the park.

Lai

A lovely story and pics LW but with a very sad ending. I think unfortunately we can still be never sure how a certain animal will react to an anaesthetic, trying to get the dose right is critical and it is often hit and miss.
A small point regarding your camera, you might find by looking through the menu that you are able to turn the noise of the shutter off. A lot of cameras have electronic shutters which are silent and the clicking noise is added as a sound effect, to let you know that you have taken the shot. It is worth checking and then you will be able to take completely silent pics without anybody knowing or disturbing the wildlife!!

Safariman

Thanks safariman, I will check that out as silence would be good sometimes so as not to disturb the wildlife, it is something I hadn't thought of but if I can turn it off I surely will.....thanks for the hint.

It is a sad story in the end as you and Lai say and like humans you never know how things are going to affect animals and I think wildlife is a little more delicte than domestic animals sometimes.

I haven't done the picture yet Doogs, I need to send it to my bro-in-law, he has a better printer than me for doing photographs nd then I want to get nice frame that will fit the parks setting and then I need a dy when I can drive there again but I will do it ASAP and let you know when I have visited them.

littlewid-x-