Mouse deer (chevrotain)

Capture myopathy

SignsAfter being chased or restrained: unable to stand, rigid, trembling, dark red urine; may die suddenly days later

PreventionNever chase. Restrain briefly using a blackout curtain and cloth. Move the animal quietly in a capture box

Bloat

SignsDistended left flank, restless standing and lying down, rapid breathing, open mouth and drooling

PreventionAvoid sudden increases in fruit or grain; switch gradually with leaves and browse as the staple

Diarrhea / enteritis

SignsPersistent soft to watery stool, weight loss, dull coat, soiling around the anus

PreventionNo abrupt diet changes. Wash raw vegetables; have fecal exams done regularly

Parasites

SignsWeight loss, pale gums from anemia, diarrhea, dull coat; poor growth in young

PreventionFecal exams several times a year. Remove droppings from the floor daily and keep bedding from getting too wet

Hypothermia / pneumonia

SignsCurled up and motionless, cold ears and legs, nasal discharge, rapid shallow breathing, reduced appetite

PreventionKeep at 25°C or above year-round. In winter use heating and a heat lamp and block drafts

Tusk and dental problems

SignsBroken or overgrown tusks in males, bleeding from the mouth, dropping food, drooling, bad breath

PreventionPrevent crashes into wire mesh. Check teeth at health exams. Offer tough browse to encourage natural wear

Leg fracture

PreventionUse non-slip soil or thick bedding for the floor. Eliminate steps, gaps in mesh, and sudden loud noises

First aidDo not chase; guide it into a darkened capture box on its own and see a vet immediately. Do not apply a splint yourself

Crash injuries

PreventionCover walls with soft material or planting. Keep visitors and work quiet; never approach suddenly

First aidPress the bleeding site with clean gauze. Staggering or a nosebleed after hitting the head: see a vet immediately

Cracked or overgrown hooves

PreventionAvoid floors that are too hard or constantly wet; provide both dry soil and rock

First aidIf limping, move it to a dry floor and see a vet the same day for hoof trimming. Do not trim it yourself

Tusk bite wounds

PreventionNever house males together. Work through the fence with breeding-season males and never touch them bare-handed

First aidRinse the wound with tap water and apply pressure. Deep wounds or abdominal wounds: see a vet immediately. Separate from the other male

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched feces

PreventionWash hands after work. No eating or drinking in the animal area. Dedicated boots and gloves

Cryptosporidiosis

RouteOral, via water, feed or hands contaminated with feces

PreventionCare for young or diarrheic animals last. Wash and dry water containers daily

Q fever

RouteInhaling dust from birth placenta and fluids or dried feces

PreventionCollect and incinerate birth materials promptly. Wet down before cleaning. Pregnant staff should avoid this work

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact via hands or tools that touched hairless patches

PreventionHandle animals with circular hair loss using gloves and separate tools. See a dermatologist if a rash appears on your hands

Food

• Staple: leaves, browse and grasses (mulberry, loquat, etc.) 2–3 times a day
• Fruit and vegetables are side items. Cut small and keep amounts modest
• Ruminant pellets in small amounts. Tends to eat more at night

Water

• Fresh water at all times in a low, heavy container. Change daily
• Water intake rises in hot weather. Provide several containers

Toys & play

• Hang fresh browse so it has to search while feeding
• Create routes with fallen logs and rocks: gentle terrain it can walk, not climb
• Hide food in the planting to lengthen foraging time

Nest, bed & hideout

• Always provide several hiding places (wooden boxes, thickets) in several directions
• Keep hiding places dark and facing away from human sight lines

Bedding & litter

• Lay a thick layer of soil and leaf litter, or bark chips
• Droppings are small pellets left in a fixed spot. Remove daily
• Bare wire mesh or concrete floors cause fractures and hoof damage

Cage / housing material

Walls of wood or resin board. Wire mesh is dangerous due to crashes; if used, cover the inside with cloth or planting

Size & space

Even for one animal, an indoor enclosure of several tens of square meters with depth. Cannot be kept in a small cage

Layout

• Place hiding places in several corners far from the entrance
• Create both open areas and thickets, leaving escape routes
• Feeding and water stations near the hiding places, away from human traffic

Placement notes

• A quiet location out of reach of foot traffic and the sound of dogs
• Indoors with heating. Outdoor keeping is not possible in winter

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed. Let it roam the enclosure on its own
• Habituate it with work done at the same time, by the same person, with quiet movements
• Enforce the rules for visitors: no running, no shouting, no peering in

Temperature & humidity

Temperature25–30°C. Prone to illness below 20°C

Humidity60–80%. Dry air strains the skin and respiratory tract

Summer & winter

• Summer: avoid direct sun; provide misting and shade
• Winter: 25°C or above with heating and a heat lamp; prevent cold from the floor

Nail trimming

Let hooves wear naturally on hard ground. If overgrown, a vet trims them under sedation

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Check by observation for hair loss, dandruff and circular bald patches

Other care

Check males for broken or overgrown tusks at health exams. Also record eye and nasal discharge

Protection from predators

• Dogs, cats and foxes cause fatal panic by sight or sound alone
• Inspect netting and gaps to keep out crows and rats
• Control mosquitoes, flies and ticks. In summer use insect screens and clean frequently

Foreign-body ingestion

Plastic scraps, string and nails easily get mixed into feed. Inspect the floor before setting up and remove debris daily

Being stepped on

It is small and quiet and may be right at your feet. Watch your feet as you work and check around you before crouching

Getting pinched

Thin legs slip into gaps in doors and fences and break. Keep gaps under 2 cm and close doors slowly while holding them by hand

Falls

It jumps down from steps and logs and breaks a leg. Do not build tall structures; finish slopes gently

Escape

Small and quick, it slips out through gaps. Always use double doors. If it escapes, do not chase; set out a dark capture box and food and wait quietly

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving, stay silent, and look away
2. Drape a cloth over its face to darken it and wait for the jaw to loosen
3. The moment it loosens, slowly withdraw your hand
4. Return the animal to its hiding place and stay away for 30 minutes

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and apply pressure. For deep puncture wounds see a doctor the same day; also observe the animal's legs and mouth

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Say it is an even-toed ungulate, and give the weight, diet, stool photos, whether it was restrained or moved, and the room temperature

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Approach without speaking and watch the ears and eyes for a response
• Count the rise and fall of the chest. At rest it is regular and quiet
• Check the heartbeat at the pulse inside the hind leg or by hand on the chest

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with a clean cloth for 5 minutes or more
• Do not raise the leg above the heart; keeping it still comes first
• Do not peel off the cloth; layer more on top. If bleeding does not stop, see a vet immediately

Transport

• Line a dark, ventilated box with cloth to keep it from rolling onto its side
• Keep it at 25°C or above with a cloth-wrapped hot-water bottle and carry it quietly