Reindeer’s gift saves brother from life-threatening illness
ITHACA, New York: Some reindeer live a bit south of the North Pole.
In Shortsville, New York, about 30 miles east of Rochester, reindeer brothers Moose and Little Buddy call a little farm home. Their owner, Mike Schaertl, was looking forward to Little Buddy’s first holiday season, but last month the five-month-old reindeer got very sick.
“When I came home from work one day to check on Little Buddy, I noticed his urine was dark red,” Schaertl explained. “That’s when I realised this was a serious problem.”
Schaertl called his veterinarian, Dr Michael Carey, himself a reindeer owner, at the Towne & Country Veterinary Hospital, who right away referred him to the Cornell University Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospital. By the time Little Buddy arrived, his condition had worsened: He was lethargic and had a very high fever.
Dr Melissa Fenn, large animal internal medicine resident, began stabilising him immediately with oxygen and fluids. Because of his anaemia, there was an inadequate amount of oxygen being delivered to his tissues, a problem requiring a blood transfusion. Things were not looking good. “We were very worried about Little Buddy. Most reindeer that present to the hospital with this disease do not survive,” said Fenn.
Moose had travelled with Little Buddy to the hospital. Reindeer are social creatures who gain comfort from being in their herd, so Fenn knew that bringing in Moose, Little Buddy’s herd-mate and half-brother, would ease his stress. Moose could also donate blood Little Buddy needed for a transfusion.
A day and a litre of blood later, Little Buddy could stand and began to eat again. Although still very sick, the young reindeer continued to show signs of improvement. By the sixth day, Little Buddy could play with Moose again, and his bloodwork results were looking better. He no longer needed oxygen and could be moved.— Newswise