Last night's badger watch......

So far have worked out one female(Who has obviously been feeding cubs, yet to be seen and two of last year's cubs now grown.

Waiting for me again!

I went up to the feed the foxes and the vixen was waiting for me. I thought she would be, as I always fill the water up in the mornings now as she comes about one o'clock for a drink. Mange is making her very thirsty. I spoke to her calmly as I carried the chicken and rice down to the back. I laid out the sandwiches with her meds in at the front, as I like to make sure she eats them. I know she likes them and they are  almost exclusively hers, since no other fox is really brave enough to come for them when I am there!

 She has stopped limping, which is good, for now at least and has several open wounds on her 'good' and bad side. The old ones are healing slowly, but the ones on her haunches seem quite raw and open, where she has clearly bitten herself in an attempt to remove the parasites . I am really hoping that this is nearer to the healing stage and that she has fewer  episodes now that some of her fur is growing back. Time will tell........

Hopeful

This afternoon the vixen arrived on the sett as soon as I put the food out. I made chicken and rice especially for her, with vitamin B12 supplement in it. She took her sandwiches into the bushes today and was putting a little weight on her foot. Still limping, but moving quicker than yesterday. I noticed some new sores on her, but her foot had gone down a lot, so hopefully will be able to walk on it soon. She looks so tired and thin now t.

Vixen in trouble

I really don't know how the vixen is managing to survive! Today as I was on my way to feed her, a neighbour popped round to see what was 'being done about our little fox' and I explained to her how I had been treating her and told her about the advice I have been given. So sweet of her to come round. I managed to get the vixen to eat a worming tablet which I had buried in a (veggie) sausage roll. She was shaking her head, and coughing, but that may have been my pastry! Anyway I noticed her previous 'good side' was covered in little sores and there were some bald spots so maybe it's just taking more time. The neighbour says she feeds her too so she is eating a fair ammount, just that her little body is so emaciated from the mange.  that she is not being nourished. The parasites are eating her alive. Very sad to watch. The fox people don't seem to think she is in need of anymore help at this stage as they have to treat the ones that are priority. She is still unable to put her foot on the ground or carry nany weight on it.

Active evening

There is still no sign of the vixen today, none yesterday either, which does worry me. I left a worming tablet in a sausage and waited but she, or the male fox did not come. Later in the evening I went to feed the badgers and the sandwich with her meds in had gone along with the sausage, but I suspect it was the male 'afternoon fox' that ate it.
Tonight's activity consisted of the two badgers, one I recognise as a 'cub' from last year, who I nick named 'Cotton Tail' as he/she had a whitish tail, which is now grey. It did not take them long to come up, it was only after seven thirty, but it did rain last night. When it rains, the earth is easier to dig. They enjoyed a few peanuts and mealworms tonight.

Saturday's feeding....

The vixen was on time today 3pm exactly. She is still limping with a now, very swollen front paw. I am actually more worried that despite me feeding her every day , and her returning  for more food   in the evenings ,that she is still extremely thin. Seeing her today next to the dog fox made me realise. Also today as it was more sunny, you can definitely see more ribs. I am starting to think she has something else going on there too. Still no response from The National Fox Society, but they are extremely busy. They are ran by volunteers and I know they will get back to me eventually. In the meantime I have to think of something to fatten her up.......

Vixen update

It concerns me that the vixen has now got another limp , this time her front paw, which is swollen. She is also shaking her head again, so probably infected still. This really must be exhausting for her and I am now afraid it will kill her. Whilst her fur has grown back, and I am still treating her, I do feel we are back to square one! She is also incredibly thirsty , visiting at one o'clock today for a drink .....