Medicating Wildlife

[mbaldw]

Hi folks,

I'm hoping some of the wildlife carers on here will be able to provide me with some help on this. This evening I received an e-mail from a lady in Worthing asking if it was possible to give a fox visiting her garden antibiotics to treat an injury - the lady explained that the fox has: "a sore patch on his leg and has been limping he has either been in a fight or been injured by a car". She wants to know whether it's possible to get something (broad spectrum?) that she can put in the food she leaves out.

I would suggest that she calls her local wildlife rescue centre to come and assess the fox to decide on treatment, but I'm not sure if there's anything she can do in the meantime? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Marc.

[Hedgehoggy]

Hi Marc, I don’t think any vet would dispense POMs to a member of the public without first seeing the animal. I think your advice is spot-on; there is a great wildlife hospital in Worthing (WADARS), which my parents have used on several occasions in the past, and they also have their own ambulances:

http://www.wadars.co.uk/

[mbaldw]

Thanks Hedgehoggy - I'll pass that info on.

Cheers,
Marc.

[HedgehogRescue]

Tell her to contact WADARS or these people.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service: Providing a front-line rescue service for wildlife casualties.

It's pointless trying to medicate wildlife unless they are brought in. You have no idea whether they have taken a full dose or not, it's quite possible other animals are getting it too. If they don't get the full dose they, or any parasites, will develop immunity to the meds causing problems down the line.

The fox needs to be caught and treated.

[mbaldw]

Thanks HedgehogRescue. I suggested that she contact WADARS, which she has apparently done but the office is close owing to staff sickness this week. I will pass on the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service link.

Cheers,
Marc.