Another Jaundice Case But What About Elsewhere?

 I wrote yesterday that most of the foxes we had submitted from Bristol have been proven or suspected (awaiting test confirmation) leptospirosis.  

Today Sarah Mills, the Bristol Fox Lady, was called out to a fox that had collapsed in a garden.  Taking the fox to a vet to be put down Sarah found that the vet was one she had dealt with before and who came from Europe to practice. Having put the fox down the vet checked and stated that it "smelt of lepto" (yes, lepto does smell apparently).  The vet, herself, suggested submitting the fox for post mortem examination.

This will be our 13th (it would be 14th but one was a facial injury case) fox submitted since May.  We have one rescue willing to submit similar foxes if they get them but one wildlife hospital in the SE will not cooperate as, with absolutely no tests carried out or foxes submitted, their vet says it is all Canine hepatitis which is clearly not the case. 

We have the rescue in the North and we cover Bristol so having rescues collaborate in Scotland and the SE of England would give us a good overview.  What we see in Bristol should be what we find across the UK. But we need the post mortems and confirmation. If what I have learnt is correct then this is happening each year and taking its toll on cubs.

 It may well be why fox numbers are declining and because "It's just a fox" no one has ever bothered recording fox deaths or had post mortems carried out. 

Leptospirosis is a rare bacterial infection that can affect animals and humans. Symptoms in animals depend on the host species, the strain of the bacteria, and the animal's age and health. Some symptoms include: 

• Muscle pain: Most often in the calves and lower back 
  
• Gastrointestinal issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain 
  
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes  
• Urination: Passing very little urine, or a lot more than usual 
  
• Skin rash: A symptom of leptospirosis 
  
• Red and irritated eyes: A symptom of leptospirosis  

Some animals with leptospirosis may not have any symptoms. In severe cases, the infection can progress to Weil's disease, which can cause kidney failure, breathing problems, meningitis, confusion, and bleeding.  

Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals. Animals can become infected by eating infected body tissues or organs, or by being born to an infected mother. Most foxes we are alerted to as having collapsed and are found to be shutting down with yellowing to eyes, gums and skin and if you smell the fox you might detect a foul odour.

If you are a rescue and come across such a fox please ask a vet to take a blood sample before it is PTS and submit to your local APHA Post Mortem Centre. Every fox we can examine may help us to find out what is going on in the population.

Thanks