Last year i shot a deer and jellied the lungs exploded the heart and it still ran 150-200 yrds. Think about it, i can hold my breath for about a minute so in theory i could be lung shot and go for probably longer just on O2 in the blood especially if you factor adrenaline into the factor. Now that would be shortened by blood loss but even without a heart you can go 15-20 seconds before blacking out --> death, now spinal damage or brain extrusion they stop right there
Holding your breath is completely different.
First, a deer isn't prepared and taking a deep breath to get ready.
Second, when you hold your breath you've got all the oxygen in your inflated lungs still available. A bullet through those lungs means little/no available oxygen.
Third, try holding your (normal) breath and running and jumping. See how long THAT lasts. Now try exhaling, not inhaling again, and running and jumping.
Fourth, being unable to breathe is only a part of the question. The deer is also dealing with extreme systemic shock and continually dropping blood pressure. Falling blood pressure causes dizziness and vision problems. That's why they often stop and stand there, legs wide and wobbling for a few seconds. They're dizzy and can't see.
As I said in my first post, it's highly likely that this is a cascading series of problems. Just like a plane crash, it's never one thing. A small shot placement error, exaggerated by the angle, coupled with a bullet well known for marginal penetration and you've got a gut shot deer with no vitals hit.
A lot of folks don't realize it but a quartering shot is asking for a lot of extra penetration. A 45dg angle requires about 50% more penetration than a broadside shot if you want an exit wound. If a deer is 14" wide, a 45dg shot requires 20" of penetration to hit the same center point and still exit.
Besides the extra penetration, a 1" lateral shot placement error results in about 1.5" of error on intended POI. How many of us are able to put bullets within 1" of intended POI at 185 yards under hunting conditions?
What would have been the back of one lung and the front of the other turns into missing behind the near lung and lacking penetration to reach the opposite lung.