Wild Fox hind legs appear paralysed

stylie

Hi,

We are living in the countryside and a fox we have been feeding is using only his front two legs now. he was mangy at the start but our feeding seems to have brought his coat back but after having a good look at him tonight he is walking on his front paws and not using his back ones.
What can be done in his case ? Are there groups that might catch him and look after him ?

S

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Nothing you can do yourself but there may be a contact on this list which will advise you.

http://www.irishwildlifematters.ie/animals/contacts.html

recedite

I know people can form an attachment to an individual animal, but I really think that in this case the fox would be better off dying quickly, and you are only prolonging the inevitable. Considering the number of healthy foxes that are being shot on a daily basis, is there any point in devoting time and resources to a diseased one?

stylie

I will tell ya what, as soon as he slows down I will shoot him myself. But he got this far and I'm pretty sure given the choice he would like to keep going and I'm not going to put a bullet in him when he seems to be trying so hard to survive.
The list from Irish Wild Life matter doesn't seem to have anyone in my area, Cork is not represented that well at all.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

In that case I would revert to my preferred option which is to leave nature to it's own course. If the animal is not suffering then talk of killing it is illfounded and inappropriate.

dodderangler

Mod Edit: I do not want to see this sort of suggestion in this forum again.

OpenYourEyes

While Foxes might be legally listed as vermin for various reasons, I feel a bit of thought and context should be put into the everyday use of the word vermin - that is to say there is no reason to consider them vermin in all circumstances.

To call foxes vermin at a site where you release pheasants, raise chickens or have sheep lambing is fair enough - foxes have an impact on all of the above and can be legally controlled to help ensure those activities are viable. No problem there!
Similarly, at some sites conserved for wild birds foxes are controlled as a matter of necessity - the hugely successful Boora project simply could not continue if there wasn't huge effort put into controlling foxes and other species - it's been estimated that there'd be no Grey Partridge left inside 5 years were that intensive effort of controlling foxes to stop. Again, no problem there - long may the Boora project continue and the methods and benefits spread to farms across Ireland.

So there are plenty of examples where foxes have legitimately earned the name 'vermin' and can be and need to be controlled.

That being said, a fox visiting the OP's back garden has no reason to be called vermin. The OP obviously doesn't consider it to be having a negative impact on anything, and foxes take plenty of rats, mice and other pest species - providing a tangible benefit.


So I have no intention of banning the use of the term vermin - I feel it's important that people with an interest in nature and wildlife get a broad and well-rounded view of conservation and management in Ireland, and that includes the necessity to control certain species in certain circumstances. But I will ask for some cop on with the use of the term vermin, some acknowledgement of context and a realisation that because foxes are a problem in some circumstances doesn't mean they're a problem in all circumstances.

OpenYourEyes

stylie wrote: »

I will tell ya what, as soon as he slows down I will shoot him myself. But he got this far and I'm pretty sure given the choice he would like to keep going and I'm not going to put a bullet in him when he seems to be trying so hard to survive.
The list from Irish Wild Life matter doesn't seem to have anyone in my area, Cork is not represented that well at all.

It might be worth contacting a vet or your next-nearest wildlife rehabilitator and getting their advice, and they might know of someone closer to you that could advise/help out further.

Capercaille

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kildare-Animal-Foundation-Wildlife-Unit/267133126640711 Kildare animal welfare foundation. You could try and catch him in a cage trap. Vets would often have one to borrow. I know it's a bit of a distance, but if you brought him to these lads in Kildare they would do their level best for the fox.

dodderangler

The way I think of it is despite the fact it's coming into your garden for food doesn't mean it'll survive. It can't use it's back legs which means it can't hunt so it'll prob starve or freeze in this weather anyway so prob best to put it out of its misery.
Sorry if that seems blunt

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

OP if this Fox is not in apparent pain and you see it holding it's own or even improving due to you feeding it then carry on. Being in Cork, I think you said, there are bound to be animal rescue groups available to you or a local vet who treats wild animals, who you can contact for an opinion. We cannot judge at a distance without seeing the animal in person.
Please just consider the welfare of the Fox. I have feed and cared for many an animal that would not have survived unassisted in the wild. It is a worthwhile and even humane thing to do. I have also had to have animals put down for humane reasons. It depends on the circumstances of each case.

OpenYourEyes

Okay everyone, I'm satisfied that the OP is aware that the options are to either a) get the fox help from a vet or wildlife rehabilitator, b) do nothing and let nature take it's course, c) have the fox humanely put down in one way or another.

Stylie has indicated that they'd prefer to try option a) and will consider options b) or c) after that.

So - there's no need for any further discussion from anyone on the options. Let's have no replies unless you're able to put Stylie in contact with an organisation who can help.

Stylie - please keep us updated with the situation - further discussion from everyone else can wait until we hear from Stylie again

Pie Man

A friend of mine just recently saw a fox going around with three legs and not a bother on him.