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Fox problems

Collapsed foxes can be picked up by the scruff of the neck, like cats, or caught in a special grasper.  Avoid their
teeth, even when very ill and weak.  If you have experience of dogs you could try picking it up in a thick blanket
and taking it to a rescue centre in a sturdy cat carrier or similar box.  As a general rule, a fox would need to be
collected by an experienced person.

Fox curled up on a shed roof or in the garden
This is not necessarily a problem.  Foxes sleep curled up like cats to enjoy the sunshine or to take a nap in a quiet spot.
Keep an eye on it, very likely it will eventually wake up and move off. 

Sick or mangy fox, lying in garden
Can you gently touch it with the end of a broomstick.? If it runs off, a rescuer won’t be able to catch it - if it doesn’t move, or only
crawls a short way, cover it with a bin or laundry basket weighted down with a brick, to make sure that it is there when someone comes.

Mangy fox visiting garden for food.
Can you treat it with a homeopathic remedy in food? If the fox is very approachable, it may be possible to treat it with tablets in food. 
Even when vixens are having cubs, you can give Psorinum 200  homoeopathic treatment, which will not harm cubs.  Helios sell 20ml bottles
of liquid treatment and pills if they are more suitable.  These can be ordered online from  HYPERLINK "http://www.helios.com"
www.helios.com  
For full details of the range of mange and first aid  treatments see the Mange Treatment Page.

Injured fox, mobile; runs off when approached
This will probably be impossible to catch.  Set up a feeding pattern and help with medicine put into the food.  If a drop of cod liver oil and pet
vitamins can be added to the food, so much the better. 
Once they have a feeding routine, a rescue centre may be able to trap the animal if it becomes necessary.

Fox limping, holding up a leg or barely using it
Can you see a wound or swelling? It could be caused by lots of things (use binoculars for a better look) but sprains and cuts are common problems . 
Do you feed the fox regularly? It could be possible to give homeopathic remedies in the food. 
Some simple remedies are: Sprains - Arnica;   Cuts - Hypericum;  Strains – Rhus tox;   Abscesses - Hepar sulph.
If you are not sure of the cause of the limp give a general remedy such as RRA 200 plus Hypericum 20. 
See  Homoeopathic Remedies  page for details

Fox, lying in garden/on shed roof etc.
There isn’t necessarily anything wrong; foxes enjoy sunbathing and can spend a whole day basking like cats in a warm, sheltered, quiet place.
Use binoculars and check for signs of distress or injury.

Fox den / droppings in gardens
Sometimes people want to remove or deter foxes from their gardens but relocating healthy foxes is almost impossible.  The best tactic is to deter the
foxes from your garden by using products such as Citronella oil diluted with water and sprayed around, their favourite areas, Reynardine, Pepper Dust,
a hidden portable radio playing a talk station, or even a scarecrow, since people are the main enemy of most wildlife.  There are very few places for wild
mammals to live these days and a fox is not necessarily such a bad neighbour - it would certainly keep away rats!

Fox problems in spring
If you find any strange mewing mammals in your garden . . .
DO look  -  but keep your distance unless the animal is obviously injured or ill.  Watch from the house if possible and keep out of sight of the vixen, who
may not come back because she can see you waiting there.

DON’T touch!  Most fox cubs are healthy and being moved to another den by their mother when discovered in gardens. Go right away unless you are
providing a cardboard box as temporary shelter if it is very cold or if it starts to rain.

Small puppy-like animal in the garden
This is probably a fox cub and may not be abandoned.  Observe it from the house for a while as the vixen might have been disturbed while moving her cubs. 
If she does not appear after several hours and the cub is getting distressed, it may have to betaken to a rescue centre for feeding.
If the cub is not distressed but the weather is cold or wet, provide a cardboard box for shelter but do not handle the cub except with gloves or a cloth,
to avoid leaving a human scent on it.
Wait for the vixen to return.
Provide some warmth and shelter if possible and continue to observe from a distance.
If the vixen has not returned during the night, the cub will have to be taken to arescue centre for feeding and possibly rearing.
Is it playing and walking about?
It may have wandered in from a nearby den. Observe at least until dusk, when the vixen should come and get it. if she doesn't, contact a Rescue Centre
Is it very small and quiet?
It may have been abandoned because it is ill.  If it is warm and dry, observe until dusk in case the parent returns. 
If cold and/or wet, provide some shelter if possible (a box on its side with some bedding) and observe as before. 
If you are unsure, ask a rescue centre for advice or to send someone experienced to have a look.
Small furry animals under or in a shed or outbuilding
New-born fox cubs are small, covered with short, dark fur and can sometimes be mistaken for puppies or kittens as they make a very similar noise. 
If you find a small family tucked away in your garden, leave them alone but keep watch if possible, to see if the mother returns. 
Usually she will only leave them for 15 minutes or so but will move away further if frightened.

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