A fox's Life

wildherbalian85 · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2009, 09:13 PM

I decided to take my camera to work today in hope that i might see one of the 4 foxes that frequent the garden, and i was in luck

All snuggled up

untill i opened the window slightly for better shots..

thankfully one remained...

and slept a little more...

this was taken just before a round of flecking began (those darn flea's)....

I have a short video clip but that will follow

Dutchess · #2 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 08:09 PM

Oh lucky you! Great shots

'Looking forward to seeing the video footage. (Can I come to work with you??

)

D.

dickybird · #3 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 08:14 PM

how lucky you are to see them so relaxed in what i presume is fairly close contact--'my' foxes are much more timid--i normally only see them once its dark and then i have to be well-hidden,indoors.
look forward to the video...

dickybird

Phoebe · #4 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 08:16 PM

A very nice sequence, wish I was there too

wildherbalian85 · #5 (**permalink**) 14-10-2009, 09:08 PM

Oh yeah sorry... i forgot about the video

Its nothing special just one of the foxes chilling....

YouTube - 100 0034

There are 4 foxes but its very rare to see them all together, normally its just the 1 or 2, increasing rarely these days the 3.

The one in the video is not shy but again is not tame either... just a little less jumpy the the other. They do wonder during the day but will often spend there time lazing on the grass somewhere

Words · #6 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 10:14 PM

Lovely to see them together like that. And well done for getting the photos and video.

It's always a bit tricky to tell from video and photos, but I think the one in the video may well have signs of mange (rather than fleas). The incessant scratching and the shaggy pelt around the face and flanks is quite distinctive.

Since they are regulars it may be possible to treat them on site. Here are a couple of links where you can get a homeopathic treatment that may help. If left untreated it can be quite nasty for them. The treatment is safe to use and just needs to be left out with small amounts of food.

National Fox Welfare Society

Fox Project

If you need more advice post back. There's also plenty of help on some of the other recent fox threads here.

wildherbalian85 · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Words

Lovely to see them together like that. And well done for getting the photos and video.

It's always a bit tricky to tell from video and photos, but I think the one in the video may well have signs of mange (rather than fleas). The incessant scratching and the shaggy pelt around the face and flanks is quite distinctive.

Since they are regulars it may be possible to treat them on site. Here are a couple of links where you can get a homeopathic treatment that may help. If left untreated it can be quite nasty for them. The treatment is safe to use and just needs to be left out with small amounts of food.

National Fox Welfare Society

Fox Project

If you need more advice post back. There's also plenty of help on some of the other recent fox threads here.

Thank you for these sites Words, i will look into these.

I saw them again today and got some more video (before i unintentionally scared them) and also some pictures... it would seem that the other fox also has Mange and this is on its leg. This sad but i will speak with the manager of that building when i see him next and see if he is ok for treating them.

I know that he does like them and is happy with them there, i remember earlier in the year he actually wanted to contact the RSPCA or some similiar kind of organization so that they could come out and make sure that these foxes where in good health. I do hope that he hasn't had a cchange of heart since then....

Words · #8 (**permalink**) 16-10-2009, 11:48 PM

You can reassure him that the treatment is very easy. It's just a matter of leaving some peanut butter sandwiches out for them with the treatment. Whereabouts (roughly) on the South Coast are you? If you are in/near East Sussex I may have some local contacts that could help.

wildherbalian85 · #9 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Words

You can reassure him that the treatment is very easy. It's just a matter of leaving some peanut butter sandwiches out for them with the treatment. Whereabouts (roughly) on the South Coast are you? If you are in/near East Sussex I may have some local contacts that could help.

Hampshire.

What if the fox doesn't eat the sandwhiches?? Also there is the problem that there are at least 2 infected foxes... with another possible 2.

This would mean leaving treatment out for both foxes but how would i know or be able to stop one fox from eating both lots??

Words · #10 (**permalink**) 17-10-2009, 11:30 AM

It's always a bit hit and miss treating foxes in the wild, but at least with the homeopathic treatment you can use it regularly and with luck they'll all get some and there's no particular worry about dosage (unlike drug treatments where you need to be sure that the correct fox gets it and in the correct amount, a very time-consuming and frustrating process).

I've also read that you can add the homeopathic treatment to water so that they all drink it. The foxes will eat the sandwiches! Honestly.