Showing why collapsing foxes that then die and exhibit odd symptoms are not just road traffic accidents or "poisoned". This is from the post mortem report.
"Comment:
Two problems were identified. This fox had a very recent traumatic injury causing haemorrhage into the thorax and peritoneum. Also there is evidence of septicaemia due to Streptococcus canis. This is a group G beta-hemolytic species of Streptococcus. Ross and Fairley (1967) in a study of disease in red foxes in Northern Ireland found that small white foci in the liver were associate with alpha and beta haemolytic streptococci but they didn’t carry out speciation.
Also Blackmore (1967) in a survey of disease in wild British foxes reported that 13% of natural deaths of 60 foxes were caused by streptococci but again no further speciation was given.
It’s possible that this fox was less alert as it was already ill, which could have increased its vulnerability to an RTA."
Streptococcus canis is a bacterium most commonly found in the normal oral and skin flora of dogs and is well known in veterinary medicine to cause a variety of infections including skin and soft tissue infection, bacteremia, and pneumonia.
Pneumonia and worms (heart/lung etc) seem to be endemic in bristol foxes and, we assume, therefore in wider UK fox populations. Adding a natural wormer to any food might help.
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