128 FUR FACTS 



box with netting or tin to preclude the possibility of escape. A dish 

 for water should be fastened to the floor close to the front, where it 

 can easily be filled. Foxes are not usually injured by a fast of three 

 or four days, but they should not be allowed to suffer from thirst. 

 Express companies, if duly instructed, will feed animals en route and 

 add the cost to the regular transportation charge. In case the ani- 

 mals are very valuable or are to be shipped a long distance, an at- 

 tendant should accompany them. 



Sickness and Health 



Generally speaking, sickness is not common among domesticated 

 foxes that are well cared for. Once in a while one breaks a leg as 

 the result of a fall or, more often, from entanglement in wire netting 

 having too coarse meshes. Lacerations rarely result twice from the 

 same cause or from fighting. Even more rarely is a fox choked while 

 eating. Passing meat and small or soft bones and cartilage through 

 a bone grinder will not only prevent choking, but allow enough bone 

 to be fed with the meat to produce sturdy animals. Simple fractures, 

 uncomplicated by abrasions, will mend if untouched, but it is better 

 to bind splints upon the wounded limb to keep it in proper shape, 

 and then to apply iodoform to prevent the animal from tearing them 

 off. When a bone is badly shattered, and especially when it pro- 

 trudes, the leg should be amputated. Anesthetics are likely to kill 

 foxes and hence should not be used. Flesh wounds ordinarily require 

 no attention other than washing once or twice a day in warm carbo- 

 lated^water or with Castile soap, followed by an application of 

 hydrogen peroxide. 



Thus far no widespread disease among foxes has made its appear- 

 ance. When diseases occur they mainly affect the digestive organs, 

 and usually can be traced to improper feeding. Indigestion and 

 inflammation of the bowels are not uncommon among cubs. Isola- 

 tion in clean, dry quarters is the first step toward a cure, and rest and 

 fasting are better than medicine. A spoonful of milk diluted with 

 six spoonfuls of boiled water will quench thirst and aid in maintain- 

 ing strength. The feces should be examined daily. Constipation is 

 frequent, and it is especially dangerous to vixens during the first 

 three days after the birth of their cubs. It can generally be cor- 

 rected by a laxative diet, as milk, liver, or veal, but in extreme cases 

 a dose of castor oil or an injection of soapsuds may be necessary. 

 A protracted attack of diarrhea can usually be checked by a purge of 

 castor oil followed by small doses of laudanum. Generally, however, 



