Will He Come Back

tesuhoha

This is not really a pet issue but maybe someone will be able to give some advice.

I walked into my kitchen this lunchtime to see a fox staring at me through the patio doors. He was lying down on the grass. He spotted me at the same time as I spotted him and became alarmed. As he got up I saw that he was gravely injured and could hardly walk. A huge patch of fur on his hind legs and back is missing. I guessed that he had been run over by a car but I am unsure how he got into our garden as it is fenced all round. Maybe he was running away from something and adrenaline got him over the fence.

At first I was going to call the RSPCA but I had read stories about them putting animals to sleep, so I called a wildlife rescue centre. They gave me the number of a foxes trust and they gave me the number of their ambulance service. I thought it was pretty good that they were willing to drive over 20 miles from their centre to rescue a fox.

I asked her if I should feed him as I have cat food. She said feed him now while I am on the phone. So I had to take the food through the dining room patio door out to the back garden as its the only access. Of course he limped off and went behind the shed. I left the food halfway down the garden in the hope that he would get wind of it and come back.

The ambulance service lady said it sounds like you need a cage trap rather than the ambulance service as it sounds like they will not be able to catch him. However, she told me there is a waiting list of about a week for one of those traps. I asked her to put me on the waiting list but I am not happy as I said to her, he looks like he is on his last legs. I asked if I could get one anywhere else but she said no. She said to keep encouraging him and feeding him, which I will do.

Anyway, that's all I can do. I desperately want to help him so if anyone has any further advice it would be great. Do you think he will come back? I'm unsure whether or not he can get out of the garden. I don't like the idea of him being in pain and without help.

Pop_Up_Pirate

All you can do is put food out for her. Aww, I love foxes.

I hope the poor thing is ok.

*Robin*

I'd put out a bowl of water as well - animals in distress tend to become dehydrated which doesn't help pain levels after injury.

Then I'd 'phone the rescue centre again and ask whether there is a particular sedative drug you could add to food which would make it easier to catch the fox? Your vet may be able to help there if the fox-rescue volunteers can't. I'd also call any other local rescue centres to see if they have a suitable trap they could loan.

Good luck. Hope the fox is willing to trust your kind intentions sooner rather than later - and thank you for being prepared to help him/her.

tesuhoha

*Robin* wrote: »

I'd put out a bowl of water as well - animals in distress tend to become dehydrated which doesn't help pain levels after injury.

Then I'd 'phone the rescue centre again and ask whether there is a particular sedative drug you could add to food which would make it easier to catch the fox? Your vet may be able to help there if the fox-rescue volunteers can't. I'd also call any other local rescue centres to see if they have a suitable trap they could loan.

Good luck. Hope the fox is willing to trust your kind intentions sooner rather than later - and thank you for being prepared to help him/her.

I will put the water out - good idea. Also, will think about contacting the vet for advice. I don't really want to go against the fox centre as they are willing to come out to make a rescue. So I might phone them about it.

GDB2222

Very distressing for the fox to be in such close proximity to humans. Food and water is great.

I'm not sure what more you can reasonably do? Would you really be prepared to incur possibly massive vet bills? Or see the vet put the animal down?

We had a fox with a bad leg who used to sun himself in our garden last summer, but not as bad as yours by the sound of it. I haven't seen him this year, but then again there has not been much sun.

tesuhoha

GDB2222 wrote: »

Very distressing for the fox to be in such close proximity to humans. Food and water is great.

I'm not sure what more you can reasonably do? Would you really be prepared to incur possibly massive vet bills? Or see the vet put the animal down?

We had a fox with a bad leg who used to sun himself in our garden last summer, but not as bad as yours by the sound of it. I haven't seen him this year, but then again there has not been much sun.

Well the Fox Project is willing to do everything, so its a bit frustrating that he can't be caught. He looks as if he needs urgent medical attention - could have some kind of pelvic fracture or back fracture or legs broken. His back is down so that his haunches are on the ground and he moves around with a dragging, hopping kind of movement if that makes sense. Also the fact that he has been scalped by something - it looks severe.

If he can be caught he definitely won't go to a vet - he will be taken away by the ambulance service run by the Fox Project. They are based in Tunbridge Wells. Its 26 miles away.. they are willing to send an ambulance within an hour but not if he can't be caught.

tesuhoha

Slight update only. All the food put out is gone. No sighting of the fox and no news about the cage trap. My husband put out another large tin of cat food this evening.

LittleMax

You are doing all the right things - keep putting the food out in the hope that it is the fox. If you do see the fox and know it is coming for the food again call the fox rescue people again to see if they will come out or can get a cage to you any quicker. You are dong all you can.

Pop_Up_Pirate

I'm rooting for the little guy.

Hope he's found a nice shelter.

Kinski

Awe wee soul, have you tried the local vets or possibly the cats protection people to see if they have a cage that he/she can be caught in, I hope something can be sorted soon.

DD265

I'm wondering whether you could trap him in the shed?

If you were able to leave the door open and put the food/water in there, you may have the opportunity to sneak up and close the door behind him.