52 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



arated from those that are well, and the enclosures should be disinfected. 

 I am of the opinion that nearly all the haK grown and fully grown foxes 

 that have died on Prince Edward Island, died from either this disease 

 or from intestinal parasites. 



"Round Worms. — ^The commonest round worm is the acaris mar- 

 ginata. It is present in a large proportion of foxes. It is a very fre- 

 quent cause of convulsions in puppies and, if abimdant, causes obstruction 

 or inflammation of the bowels. In fact, in yoimg foxes, this is the prin- 

 cipal cause of that disease. These worms are from half an inch to several 

 inches in length. They are cream coloured and tapering. Castor oil 

 with a few drops of spirits of turpentine is a good and safe remedy. 

 Santonin in doses of about ^ grain for a pup, given every day or two is 

 also good; no food should be given and the santonine should be followed 

 in three hours with a purge. Areca nut, in two grain doses is also fairly 

 safe to puppies. 



"It is well to remember that all worm medicines are poisonous and 

 should be followed with a purge. It is claimed that the feeding of 

 moUassine dog biscuits will prevent intestinal parasites. 



"Tape Worm. — Foxes may be infected with several varieties of 

 tape worm. They come from eating meat or fish infected by the worm 

 in the larval stage. In this respect, they differ from the roimd worm 

 which grows directly from the egg. There is the marginated tape- 

 worm, the serrated tape worm, the tinea coenuris (larval stage in the 

 brain of the sheep) and tinea cucumerina (larval stage in the hare). 

 These worms are flat and in sections. They vary in length from several 

 inches to several feet. It is rather difficult to rid foxes of these pests 

 and a good veterinary surgeon should be called in. Many drugs have 

 been recommended but they are all dangerous. Doses vary with the 

 condition of the animal. 



"Sarcoptic and foUiculaT mange, are caused by minute 

 Diseases animal organisms that invade the skin structure. They can 



be seen only with a magnifying glass. The sarcoptic mite 

 has an oval body and four pairs of legs while the follicular mite has a 

 lobster-shaped body. The sacroptic mite lives near the surface of the 

 skin and, for this reason, spreads much more rapidly over the animal 

 and is much more easUy communicated from one animal to another 

 than the follicular. Sarcoptic mange if allowed to run its course, will, 

 in a short time, denude the animal of hair and the skin becomes thick- 

 ened and spongy. Follicular mange spreads very slowly and occurs 

 in patches, usually about the head and along the back. Sarcoptic 

 mange if taken in hand early, yields to treatment much more readily 

 than follicular mange which can only be eradicated with difficulty. 



