Disease and Health

Taurine Deficiency

Taurine is a required amino acid that they can’t produce on their own. It must be supplied in their diet. Supplementing is a common practice in the U.S. where ranchers often feed foxes pet food. Generally, dog food does not […]

Lungworm

Crenosoma vulpis or lungworm is common in the United States. Symptoms include coughing and respiratory distress. Lungworm can lead to death. Diagnosis can be determined in post-mortum or necropsy exam. Larvae are excreted in the feces and become infective after one […]

Nosema Cuniculi

This is reported as being a sporadic problem, in Norway, in blue foxes. It is transmitted by healthy appearing femlaes to unborn young. Most in a litter will die. Symptoms include loss of balance, weakness, and convulsions. Laboratory test reveal […]

Coccidia

Coccidia is a protozoan parasite that will cause loose or bloody stools and unthriftiness. It can be diagnosed easily with a fecal exam. It will usually affect juvenile animals as adults can develop immunity against the parasite. Treatment with Corid […]

Mange Mites

These are mite infections of the skin. While common in wild foxes, it appears to be less common under ranch conditions. Female mites burrow just under the skin to lay eggs. This causes severe irritation and itching. The skin is […]

Mineral oil is added to the young fox's ears to prevent of ear mites.

Ear Mites

These are very common in foxes. Black debris and irritated ears (internal) are suggestive. Irritation is due to mites deep in the ear canal. They are very small but easily seen under a microscope in the laboratory. In severe cases, […]

Hookworms (Ancylostoma)

These are a more serious problem in young animals. The worms are active blood suckers in the gut causing anemia, dark stools and death if present in large numbers. Their life cycle is somewhat similar to roundworms. However, infective larvae […]

Embryonic Death

This happens in all species, including foxes. A study in Norway was done on 47 vixens, both young and old, which did not produce. Seventy percent had implantation zones which meant fetuses died early in life. Others which had normal […]

Anaestrus (lack of heat)

Some females will not come into heat. Hormones can be used to do this if no heat is evident near the end of the breeding season. Work in Norway suggests the following. Give subcutaneous injections (under the skin) daily of […]

Nervousness

Russian workers carried out a atudy on two groups of foxes. One had been selected over a number of years for quietness and ease of handling. The second group was wild and aggressive. Animals were killed and brains analyzed for […]