The veterinary team at East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) are battling to save the life of a fox rescued on Tuesday 29th August, suffering from what they believe could be Warfarin poisoning (rat poison).
Vets from Highcroft Veterinary Group have confirmed that the most likely cause of the foxes symptoms is rat poisoning. This has prompted the charity to issue a warning to residents in the Woodgate Road area of Eastbourne where the fox was rescued.
WRAS Rescuers Trevor Weeks MBE and Jayden Banks attended on site and caught this fox behind a garden shed, they noticed bleeding around the gums and at first thought the fox may have been a road casualty, but on closer inspection back at WRAS's Casualty Care Centre alarm bells starting ringing that the fox could be a poisoning case. "Due to the fox's deterioration we decided to get the fox into Highcroft Vets in Hailsham for one of their vets to confirm our fears, which they did. The fox was placed on intravenous fluids and given Vitamin K1 injections to help beat the poisoning" said Trevor Weeks.
"We are issuing this warning to the public it is highly likely that this fox has picked up poison within the residential area surrounding Woodgate Road, Eastbourne. Either this is secondary poisoning where the fox has picked up a rat or mouse which has been poisoned and eaten it or poison has been placed irresponsibly or illegally in a place where other animals can gain access to it putting wildlife and pets at risk. We are urging pet owners in the area to keep an eye out for the following symptom and to see urgent veterinary advice if they think their pet may be affected" he added.
Dog and car rat poison symptoms include:
- dull
- reject food
- saliva is mixed with blood
- internal bleeding from gums, lung
- external bleeding from nose (epistaxis), rectum (hematochezia)
- bright green stool which is caused by eating rat bait pellets
- bloody urine (hematuria) or stool (melena)
- blood coagulation
- fatigue
- excitation
- drooling
- slobbering
- uncoordinated gait
- muscle tremors
- weakness
- cold
- inability to stand
- mild cough
- lung problems
- breathing difficulty
- mental depression
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- coma
- extensive bruising
- hair loss
"WRAS is funded by donations and relies on the generosity of the public to ensure they can respond to emergencies like this. "Pets have insurance and owners to look after them, our wildlife doesn't so please help support us so we can be there when they need us by making a donation today to help pay for veterinary medicine, treatment and care" said Trevor Weeks.
Anyone wanting to make a donation can donate online or send a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE.
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks - East Sussex WRAS: 01825 873003 or 07931 523958
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