Red Fox #16-1195

Species Name (EN): 
Species Name (LA): 
Admission Date: 
June 15, 2016
Location of Rescue: 
Highland County, VA
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Hit by vehicle
Prognosis: 
Outcome: 
Transferred for continued care
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive

On June 15, a Red Fox was admitted to the Wildlife Center after it was hit by a car in Highland County, Virginia. Dr. Helen examined the female fox upon arrival and found the fox to be quiet, dull, and lame in the left rear leg. An ultrasound of the fox's abdomen showed no signs of internal bleeding, but radiographs revealed a fracture on the femoral head of the fox's left rear leg.

After Drs. Dave, Helen, and Dana conferred, they decided that the fox's best option for treatment would be a "FHNO" -- a femoral head and neck osteotomy. This procedure is the surgical removal of the head and neck of the femur, which prevents the bones of the damaged joint from coming in contact. FHNOs are commonly performed in dogs with severe hip issues and do not prevent the animal from an active lifestyle.

Because the Wildlife Center staff do not routinely perform this type of procedure, the staff reached out to several local veterinary clinics. The Animal Hospital of Waynesboro offered to do the surgery for a very minimal cost; we're greatly appreciative of their time, energy, and skill to help Red Fox #16-1195! Dr. Helen will take the fox to the Animal Hospital on the morning of June 24 for the procedure.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide care to this Red Fox … and all of the patients admitted in 2016. Please help! 
 

Updates

August 17, 2016

Red Fox #16-1195 has been doing well in the Center's Bear Pen for the past couple of weeks. The fox is able to ambulate well and can also easily climb into the "sink" built into the enclosure.

The staff would like to assess the fox in a larger space to ensure she can exercise and prepare for release. While the Center does have three flight pens with underground fencing that are suitable for foxes, the Center is also caring for a high volume of raptor patients, so space has been at a premium this summer! Rockfish Sanctuary, a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center, has room in their fox enclosures for this fox; on August 17, the fox will be transferred for additional assessment in a larger space.

July 18, 2016

During the past three weeks, Red Fox #16-1195 has been healing very well; the veterinarians were pleased to see the fox gaining more mobility on her injured hind leg each day. As of July 11, the fox was walking normally and the incision site from the fox's surgery had completely healed. The fox will need additional space to move and climb to build muscle mass and fully recover from surgery, so the fox will be transferred to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in foxes.

June 27, 2016

Red Fox #16-1195 continues to do well in the days following her leg surgery. The fox is eating well and on June 26, was toe-touching on her left hind leg.

On June 27, Dr. Helen moved the fox to one of the Center's Bear Pen enclosures. This cement block enclosure will give the fox enough space to walk around as she continues to recover, but should limit the fox's activity and will prevent the fox from climbing.

June 24, 2016

Dr. Helen reports that the fox's surgery at the Animal Hospital of Waynesboro went really well! There were no complications with the FHO procedure, and the fox recovered well from anesthesia. The fox will remain in the Center's holding room in a zinger crate for the next few days and is also wearing a "cone of shame" to keep the surgical site protected.

Many thanks to all of the staff at the Animal Hospital of Waynesboro, especially Dr. Reeder and technicians Lauren and Kat!

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