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Injured Fox Recovers with Hydrotherapy
12 Oct
Summary
- A young fox named Chance was found injured after a car accident in Nottinghamshire.
- Hydrotherapy sessions in a dog pool are helping Chance regain leg strength and movement.
- Rescuers are limiting human contact to prepare Chance for a potential return to the wild.
A young fox, named Chance, sustained severe injuries after being hit by a car in Nottinghamshire, England, leaving him unable to use his hind legs. Veterinarians initially considered euthanasia, but the team at Mansfield Wildlife Rescue pursued an alternative rehabilitation approach. Chance is now undergoing hydrotherapy at the Mansfield Canine Centre, utilizing a pool designed for recovering dogs.
Wearing a bright green life jacket, Chance is guided through water sessions by a dedicated caretaker, Chelsea. This aquatic therapy leverages water buoyancy to reduce weight on his injured limbs while providing gentle resistance for muscle strengthening. This method is commonly used for canine rehabilitation but is a novel approach for a fox.
Chance's progress is encouraging; he is regaining sensation and movement in his back legs, even kicking them while swimming. His rescuers are carefully managing his interactions with humans to maintain his wild instincts, aiming for a potential release back into the wild if his recovery allows him to survive independently.
