Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Fox cub 'lodger' found under sofa
Red fox cub
The fox cub will remain in the care of Fenland Animal Rescue until he is old enough to be released back into the wild.

Homeowner alerted by suspicious cat

A homeowner from Norfolk received a shock last week when she discovered a young fox cub hiding under her sofa.

It is thought the cub had been in the house for several days when the owner noticed a ‘smell’ and had seen her cat acting suspiciously.

The fox cub will remain in the care of Fenland Animal Rescue until he is old enough to be released back into the wild.

“It wasn't until she looked under the furniture and noticed two little eyes staring back at her, that she realised she had a lodger!” said a spokesperson for Fenland Animal Rescue.

“Our team attended and were able to recover the little one safely, however, it soon became apparent that he had been in the house for several days and had been without food or fluids throughout!”

The team quickly set out to find the fox cub’s mother so that they could be reunited. But despite their best efforts, they found no trace of her and had to admit the fox cub into their care.

On arrival at the Centre, the veterinary team assessed the cub for injuries. Despite being seriously dehydrated, the little fox had bags of energy, giving them hope that all was not lost.

Several weeks later, following a course of fluid therapy, parasite medication and a strictly controlled diet, the fox is now free from all infections. He has now been moved to an outdoor pen to get a feel for the wild and can use the space to play and explore.

Rescuers say they will feed the cub a ‘natural diet’ to ensure he develops the skills needed in life and, once old enough, will continue his journey in the wild.

Image (C) Fenland Animal Rescue

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.