Recent Fox Cub Deaths

video (c)2024 Sarah Mills/Bristol Fox Lady

 We are currently looking at some unusual fox cub deaths. In the last few weeks we have had four cases of 8-10 weeks old cubs found having seizures. One or two you put down to "natural" but when you get 3-4 you need to wake up and see what is going on.

Today Sarah Mills, the Bristol Fox Lady, responded to a call of a cub seen fitting not far from where she lives. On arriving at the scene the cub did fit and once again on getting to the vet.  Again an 8-10 weeks old cub.

On arriving at the vet it was found that nystagmus was present, a stiff body and minimal jaundice. On this occasion the vet suggested that we submit. 

As it is important that the average person understands the terms use (otherwise it is all gobbledegook); Nystagmus in dogs refers to the flickering or twitching of the eyes. In most cases, flickering eye movements are entirely normal. But they can become concerning if the movements happen when your dog's head is still. The primary cause of nystagmus is vestibular disease, which is a disturbance in the pet's body balance.

The vet suggested we submit this cub as the only thing he could suggest was distemper which is worrying enough. The signs of distemper include: Discharge from the eyes and nose. Fever. Coughing. Lethargy. Reduced appetite. Vomiting and Diarrhea. For this reason we are submitting the cub for post mortem examination, however. I am not calling it distemper or anything else until we have a PM report and test results and for a good reason.

 Neither parvovirus nor distemper have ever been conclusively recorded in UK foxes, and I must also point out that there is virtually no possibility of serious health problems arising from the presence of foxes.

It could be a false alarm and we have had vets wrong in the past and I suspect that this is why the vet involved suggested submitting for post mortem.  It will take a while to get tests, etc. but we are keeping an eye open.  I know people from rescues do read this blog and I will also be contacting them in the next day or so but if they have similar cases and the cub dies or is put to sleep PLEASE submit it to the Animal Plant Health Advisory who can point you to the nearest PM centre. Every scrap of knowledge help0s.