44 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



other, the gall bladder was abnormally distended. Most of them showed 

 some redness of the alimentary tract. I am of opinion that death was 

 due to some food poisonsi — ptomaine. In one animal that died there 

 was a jelly-like fluid between the pelt and the flesh of the hind legs. 



" When pups are shedding their milk teeth — usually at the age of 

 three months — abscesses are liable to form at the roots of the tusks. 

 The fox then swells around the snout. In such cases the tusks, which 

 are quite loose, should be extracted. Give them large bones to gnaw so 

 they can knock out these teeth. This will usually prevent the forma- 

 tion of these abscesses. 



" Fleas and Moths. — Dip the fox in weak solution of creolin in 

 order to rid him of these pestsi. 



" Fox Surgery.— 1 have had more to do with foxes in a surgical 

 than in a medical way. They frequently break their limbs in fighting 

 among themselves or in an effort to escape by climbing their enclosures. 

 These fractures are usoially compound and necessitate the amputation of 

 the limb. The flesh is stripped back and the protruding bone is snipped 

 off with bone forceps. The wound is dressed antiseptically and the flesh 

 is stitched over the bone. The whole part is well dusted with iodoform, 

 and wrapped in gauze bound on with surgeon's adhesive plaster. The 

 fox will not touch the dressing when dusted with iodoform. The oper- 

 ation is simple, no anagsthetic is needed and there is no danger from 

 bleeding, because, as a rule, no arteries have to be tied. In fact, it is 

 dangerous to give an anaesthetic. 



" When the fracture is not compound, the limb may be set in splints 

 of any light wood; maple saplings make good splints. Bind the splint 

 on with adhesive plaster and with rabbit wire; the fur makes sufficient 

 padding for it. Dust with iodoform to keep the fox from tearing the 

 splint off. In winter, care must be taken that the leg does not freeze. 



" Judicious feeding can only be learned by experience. Grass and 

 other green food and fresh earth should be placed in the enclosures at 

 frequent intervals, as the animals require something of that nature to 

 keep them healthy. Their kennels should be kept as clean as possible 

 and should be washed out once or twice a year with a hot solution of 

 creolin, two drams to the pint. One breeder dips all his foxes, after 

 the pups are weaned, in a weak solution of creolin to rid them of fleas 

 and other vermin. 



" In general, it is far better to take good hygienic precautions before 

 the foxes get sick, than to invite disease by having them live in filth in 

 small enclosures." 



