FOX-FARMING IN CANADA 49 



Valley, Ont., who once had one in similar condition in his possession, 

 indicates that the lack of fur and the poor condition is caused by a tape- 

 worm. Mr. Hamilton cured it by administering a violent vermifuge, 

 using a biscuit vermifuge, puppy doses. 



Writers report that rabies and canker of the ear have been known, 

 but no evidence of these diseases was found during the present investi- 

 gation. Two cases of mange were reported in 1913. The usual remedies 

 applied in the case of dogs seem to be effective wherever used and they 

 are usually put up in a form easy to administer. 



The following quotation from a letter from Spratt's Patent, Ltd., 

 who manufacture dog biscuits and medicines, contains a number of 

 useful suggestions for the rancher: 



"In our pamphlet on dog culture, you will find chapters on 

 all the diseases mentioned in your letter. If foxes, also, are 

 subject to these diseases special precautions will have to be taken. 

 Besides being wild animals, we presume they live in artificial or 

 natural earths, and you can readily understand that, when an 

 animal is suffering from ophthalmia, special precautions will have 

 to be taken. 



"The same applies to mange; otherwise, all the animals will 

 soon contract the disease. 



"When the animals are from four to six weeks old, they 

 start changing their milk for permanent teeth and bone is a use- 

 ful article to give, as this helps the shedding of the milk teeth. 

 Sometimes, of course, they are so firmly imbedded in the gums 

 that forceps must be used, and should you find an animal's head 

 swelling, we strongly advise you to examine the mouth and re- 

 move the milk, especially the canine, or eye, teeth." 



Dr. Alexander Ross, of Charlottetown, formerly of Alberton, 

 P.E.I. , who has given much attention to fox diseases and their treat- 

 ment and has acquired a rare experience in treating foxes on the numer- 

 ous ranches situated within his practising territory at Alberton, has 

 written the following article on fox diseases and surgery for this report: 



"Foxes bred in captivity are more liable to disease than those which 

 roam the wilds. In confinement they are shut off from various foods 

 they seek in the wild state, particularly when they are not well. They 

 are also limited as to exercise, so their muscular tone is usually below 

 par. They often show malformation in the bones of their limbs 

 (rickets) which, I think, is due principally to their food being deficient 

 in bone salts and to restricted exercise. On the whole, however, I have 

 found, in an experience extending over fifteen j^ears, that the colonies 

 of foxes in Prince Edward Island are remarkably free from diseases. 

 4 



