Hi folks Im a newbie to posting on the forum but a long time lurker.
I have a query.
Both my cocker spaniels, the delightful and gorgeous Hamish & Rosie are having near apoplepsy(?) most evenings as a fox uses our back garden as a short cut to the monastry behind us where the monk feeds them.
That isn't the problem as such as Im able to control them and stop either party from getting injured. the fox is limpming quite badly and I am concerened for it's welfare. It is not skinny or malnourished looking in any way but it has been limping on that leg for a fair few weeks now and I am wondering if it can cope long term. Is there any advice anyone can give?

Hmmm do the Rspca deal with wildlife??? I'm not sure, you could always give them a ring and find out some information, give them the times he is about if they feel he should be seen and maybe they will come out to take him for some medical attention

It's a good thing that he still looks in good condition otherwise though.

I've seen him and his Mrs and theirl ittle cub. I was concerned that the family might lose their dad.
Thanks for the tip.

If the monks are feeding them could you ask them about the lame fox, maybe telephone the monastery? They will be aware of it, may have considered/observed that it is slowly improving, or are planning to get a vet involved, or even already treating it (perhaps antibiotics in its food). Their help would be needed if the fox was to be caught and taken to a vet.

A vet should treat or give advice on a wild animal for free (though sadly 'James Herriot' is dead in many parts of the profession these days, especially in the bigger practices, so I would always check this out in your area beforehand.)

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
I've just called over to the monastery and spoken to father william. he wasn't aware of a lame fox and says he'll keep his eye out , but thinks that if he's been onit for several weeks he should be ok. Im not so sure and maybe I might try the RSPCA, for advice at least.

What may have happened is that the fox was injured some time ago, but the injury has more or less healed and has left him with a limp. If it's an old injury, and the fox looks well and is eating, I guess it's just what sometimes happens to wild animals. Had the injury just occurred, and was obviously upsetting the fox, the RSPCA would be the best place to go.

Thanks for that.
Saw the fox again last night before going out. He is limping but can put his foot down when standing still. he is obviously foraging for his family and the monks provide a ready source of dinner.
i'll continue to monitor for a while yet or rather hamish and rosie will
Its lovely around here. we've not long moved to here and to see the ocal wildlife is great. We've got some deer in the local park!

Why not ring one of the below for advice?

http://www.nfws.org.uk/active_support.html

Or http://www.foxproject.org.uk/ if you live in the South-East.

I don't like the RSPCA, they are too quick to put animals to sleep without even trying to get them well, and are only really interested if there's a TV camera nearby.

Thanks for that.

Hi, a friend of mine had a fox visit her garden regularly. One day she noticed it was limping and seemed to have injured its paw. She contacted her local wildlife sanctuary/rescue centre and they gave her some antibiotics to put in some food and leave out for the fox. Would this be an option for you or the monks?

If the fox has broken its paw, antibiotics won't be any good, and this seems to be an old injury. I think the monks are right - if the fox is going about its business, eating well and performing within normal fox parameters, I'd leave it alone and just keep an eye on it, as it won't be as mobile as a normal fox. The alternative would be to catch it and subject it to medical treatment that might not even help, and this would also deprive its family of their food source. Sometimes it's best to leave things to nature, especially for wild animals.

If the fox at any time looks to be in distress, obviously my view would change.

I really appreciate the responses everyone.
He does seem to be able to get about his business and I think it's an animal lovers reponse to see an animal with a problem and want to do something about it.
I'm convinced he is, ok if not on top form and as he doesn't have any natural predators and provided he can get about he 'll be okay Im sure.
I'll certainly keep you posted on his movements as well as that of the wife and cub.

Yes, please do, I love foxes, often put food out for a pair round my way.

i would be glad to.

Both mum and dad spotted last night in the garden of the Monastery by myself at about 10.30.
Both mooching around and dad still limping. Iwas able to have a good look and he was very much still limping but when standing could put all 4s on the ground.

If at all possible it's much better to leave foxes where they are as they are very territorial and even being out of their territory for 24 hours can mean it has been taken over by another fox.
Foxes with access to scavenging food, either from human rubbish, left overs or by being deliberately fed do not have to hunt for their food human and so do not have to be as agile as a fox without this provisionoing support.
Being a wild animal they can also be very stressed by close human contact which in itself is distressing for them short term and can slow their recovery in the longer term.
Unless the fox appeared to be in considerable pain I would leave it alone but provide food.
Under the RCVS code of conduct all vets are required to provide free treatment for non-owned wildlife but they can use their judgement as to whether and what treatment is required and that could include a decision to euthaenase, to pass it on to a rescue location, or to let it heal/recover by itself in its wild environment.
They could also legitimately decide that antibiotics could not be given without more information as to what the problem was and as to how to administer and target the one animal that needed the treatment to prevent teh risk of resistence problems that could then be passed onto the local dog population in the form of canine disease resistant to certain antibiotics.
However it is up to the person reporting the wild animal to present it for treatment. The vet's obligation does not extent to visiting it to treat it in the wild, or to personally catching it in order to treat it

Thanks for that.
I'm observing from a safe distance and allowing him to go about his business. Biggest problem is keeping my two pooches from beconing over excited every time he uses my garden as a short cut!

Well they'd probably get equally over excited if he wasn't limping unless they're exceptionally smart are think they're in with a better chance to catch him

One of them keeps a constant watch at the window from around 8pm ready to spy him. smart cookies these canines