Sarah Mills, the Bristol Fox Lady, was contacted by a man who had a fox with a limp. Limps are so common that it is usually suggested they are given arnica which helps to reduce pain and swelling in sprains, etc.. However, this man was arguing that the fox had gout.
To be honest I have never heard of gout in wild foxes. I believe gout is mainly encountered in badly kept pet foxes: According to Exotic Pet Care https://exoticpetwonderland.org/exotic-pet-care-guides/pet-red-fox-care-guide/:
"Keep in mind, while pet red foxes do best with raw meat, some meats should be avoided. Meats such as beef and pork are more likely to cause gout in foxes. Both are fattier and cause their organs to work harder. Not to mention, pork can sometimes be a host to parasites that can be harmful to foxes. Feeding leaner white meats is better for gray foxes. Other meats such as rats and mice are high in retinol. Meaning while they can be safely fed, you must wary of how often or how much they are given."
And if you are wondering what gout is:
"Gout is a common and complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It's characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints, most often in the big toe."
People often ask whether they can feed pork or beef to foxes and they are always told "No". A fox with a healthy diet should not get gout in the wild. If someone can correct that statement then please get in touch.
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