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Mange Treatment

Got a fox visiting your garden suffering from Sarcoptic Mange, then please visit our mange pages for help and free treatment.

Handling An Injured Fox

Click on Picture below for information on handling an injured fox prepared for NFWS by Samantha Bloomfield

Bsc MA VetMB MRCVS

First Aid

Healer Do No Harm

Under the veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 no person is allowed to make a diagnosis or practice as a veterinary surgeon unless included on the veterinary surgeons register. However if an emergency arises and there is no vet available immediately it is permitted for a lay person (you or I) to perform first aid in order to preserve the life of a patient until expert veterinary help can be sought.

Aim: Preserve life, reduce suffering, prevent deterioration

Rules: Airway (clear mouth/nose/throat of mucus, blood, blockages and foreign matter) if not detrimental to remove these.

Breathing: Is it? Chest movement? Type of breathing? (If in doubt check by holding small mirror in front of the nose/mouth and see if it mists up).

Never muzzle if there are injuries to the nose or mouth or difficulty in breathing; If you have to muzzle only use a strong plastic mesh type one so that the fox can vomit without choking.

Circulation: If possible check colour of gums ( they should be a healthy lightish ham pink colour). Also, if possible check the capillary refill time of mucous membranes. The easiest place is the gums, press down with a finger on a patch of the gums to 'bleach it white' then wait and see it go back to pink in a healthy animal. This should almost be instant (ie. 2 seconds). If it is any longer than this it could indicate 'clinical shock'.

Colour of mucous membranes to be aware of:

Pale whitish pink - shock

Bluish purple - Starved of oxygen / respiratory failure

Yellow (gums and Whites of eyes) - Jaundice / liver damage

Brick red - Severe infection leading to blood poisoning

Shock

On all occasions when one is called out to a collapsed , wounded or injured fox we should expect some degree of shock. Indications that an animal is in shock include;

a) Pale mucous membranes. b) Shivering. c) Skin cold. d) Rapid breathing or shallow breathing. e) Rapid or weak pulse. f) Pupils dilated. g) Apathy & weakness.

The first thing to do is attend to any problems with breathing and or haemorrhage. The fox must be kept still and where possible in a horizontal position., this ensures effective circulation. At all times keep the fox warm and dry. Cover with light blankets or jacket to conserve body heat A sheet of bubble wrap or a space blanket are certainly worth keeping in your first aid box. A hot water bottle can be used but be careful not to exceed normal body temperature.

In short the rules of shock are as follows;

• Place fox on its side with head extended.

• Elevate the hindquarters using pillows or towels.

• Stop any obvious bleeding by applying pressure with an          absorbent pad.

• Prevent loss of body heat by wrapping the fox in a warm blanket.

• Transport the fox to the nearest vet immediately. If the fox is in deep shock; keep it cradled with limbs elevated above the heart.

Healer, Do No Harm