Sick fox in the garden

[wildliferescuer]

I may be wrong, but as far as I am aware the NFWS do use a homeopathic treatment although it is widely recognised now that Stronghold (spot-on treatment for parasites on dogs) can be given orally to foxes with mange via their food. We have been using it for about 9 years with very impressive results.
This treatment is only suitable if mange is in its initial stages, before open, infected lesions develop on the fox. In these cases then yes, you are right, the fox would have to be trapped & taken in for more intensive treatment including antibiotics.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by eeyore

are you saying that the NFWS treatment is a homeopathic one ? - I wasnt aware of that but if so i'd concur with you that homepathic remedies for mange dont cut it

You probably need to actually _tell_ the fox that it's receiving medication with the homeopathic remedy!
;^)

Jim

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

You probably need to actually _tell_ the fox that it's receiving medication with the homeopathic remedy!
;^)

Jim

lol - and even then it wont work if it doesnt believe you

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by desertgecko

He has hardly any fur on his back and tail, mange?, and can barely walk, he's limping on his back legs. He has now curled up under some bushes in the garden.
.

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

This treatment is only suitable if mange is in its initial stages, before open, infected lesions develop on the fox. In these cases then yes, you are right, the fox would have to be trapped & taken in for more intensive treatment including antibiotics.

given that this one can barely walk i think its fair to say that its condition is fairly advanced - therefore its probably best to have it taken to a wildlife rescue centre

if the one you called doesnt phone back gecko you could call a different one (there is a link to a map on the wab front page with hundreds) - and failing that you could try the RSPCA - i dont know where you are in the south east bu my experience of the bucks rspca is pretty positive - they work quite closely with tiggywinkles near haddenham and are fairly responsive to wildlife so the bad experience one member describes above isnt necessarily representative.

If you fo decide to catch the fox and take it in yourself be careful - a) even an ill fox can inflict a nasty bite and b) sarcoptic mange is ( i think ) parasitic and you dont want to transfer it on your hands to any domestic pet.

I would tend to wear thick gloves and use an old coat or blanket as a barrier - throw it over the fox then pick it up and transport in a stout box or crate - best to get advice from the rescue centre first and also phone ahead so they expect you

[Words]

Ok, I can't resist... for foxes I've never used the homeopathic treatments, only the specific medical remedy under supervision (treated several foxes this way with compelte success). However, years ago our mutt of a dog developed a skin condition which conventional veterinary treatments not only didn't work but caused liver problems (he survived but it was a close run thing). We did then go to a vet who also prescribed homeopathic treatments. Following a bizarre 45 minute 'interview' about the dogs character etc we agreed on a treatment. Have to say though that a condition conventional medical treatments had failed to deal with over a 3 month period, cleared up in about two weeks. It was impressive.

By preference I still prefer medically proven treatments (for me and for animals), but I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of a homeopathic treatment having some value. And where foxes are not easy to trap, or the resources for medical treatments aren't available, or the fox is tricky to treat in situ, then the NFWS treatment is worth a shot.

In this OP's post, it sounds like the fox is in a bad way, hence I would strongly support the intervention of a rescue centre.

[Picidae]

A couple of Rescue centres SE and Sussex

Fox Project
Mobile ambulance
07778 909092 (9.00am - 9.00pm daily)

www.rogerswildliferescue.co.uk (Brighton) 01273 308268

[desertgecko]

Thank you for all the replies. The fox had since been chased away by a neighbours cat, and now it can't be found. It must still be in the area though.

We tried the two numbers posted above, but they both fowarded us back to WRAS, the people we originally phoned. They haven't got back to us yet. The number given from fox project is in Tumbridge Wells, quite far away and they wouldn't come to us. They should update their site. We are from Eastbourne.

My mum (whos garden it turned up in) has told neighbours to keep an eye out for it. Hopefully if more people see it and phone in, someone will come out and help it. We did think about trying to catch it ourselves, but tbh, we were too scared to do so in case it became viscous in defending itself.

Jim Ford: My mum keeps chickens and so feels like you do. She doesn't want to see the fox harmed though but is rather worried he'll be even more tempted into the garden.

Thanks again for all the replies, I will keep you posted if we see it again.

[squeek]

thats a shame, but that may prove something and that is the fox is not a threat to a cat.

i hope someone spots it and is able to help, ive heard that the mange could kill it.

thats bad those people havent got back to you yet.

we feed our foxes when they are around and they tend not to bother the pheasants etc. so i know this may sound odd, but if your mum feeds the fox he may not feel the need to go after the chickens.

there must be someone who will help, maybe if you phoned any wildlife sanctuaries and ask if they know someone. someone in your area who loves foxes may be able to advise you on how to catch it and they may come and collect the animal.

i hope it all has a happy ending, and thankyou for caring for this unfortunate fox. pls keep us informed.

[squeek]

i wonder if its worth you phoning those 2 numbers again to tell them the WRAS havent got back to you yet.
i think yes the fox maybe still in the area and may well appear again.

[squeek]

ijust looked at the WRAS and they say they are 24 hours.

did you try emailing them ?