Fox SH001 31 05 26 photo (c)2026 Fox Study
In Cancer Prevalence and Etiology in Wild and Captive Animals Madsen, Arnal, Vittecoq et al it is stated that:
"Wildlife cancer statistics are, however, highly scattered in the scientific literature and hence challenging to access. Moreover, tumors in wildlife are most commonly detected during postmortem examination and therefore hard to confirm without histopathological examinations. However, even such analyses can be inaccurate because of high levels of autolysis (organ disintegration) (McAloose and
" In addition, individuals harboring tumors often display a decrease in body condition frequently resulting in higher levels of parasite/pathogen infections and concomitant increased levels in morbidity and mortality (Vittecoq et al., 2013) "
The paper lists only one known red fox case: Vulpes v. pennsylvanicus American red fox Adenoma Ratcliffe (1933)
To this I can add two British cases -one from the Bristol Fox Necropsy Study:
029 Dog 4.80kg Old Adult (which means over 5yrs) Poor/Emaciated Severe necropathy and lymphoma (cancer)
The second is a new
Fox (SH001 31 05 26) was in a collapsed state and my colleague, LM, attempted to secure it to take to a vet, however, as in such cases, the fox used a burst of energy and started swimming toward an island in a pond (mini lake). The fox was being unsuccessful and so LMs daughter swan out and retrieved it where it was taken care of before going to a vet (not LMs regular one).
The vet reported that the fox died while under anaesthesia (we have questions here) but the results of the examination and X-rays was that the it had broken canine teeth, pelvic swelling and osteosarcoma.
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive type of primary bone cancer that typically affects children, teens, and young adults. It most commonly develops in the long bones near the knee or shoulder. Standard treatment combines chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor and save the affected limb. With wildlife and foxes in particular veterinary care is in the hit-or-miss stage and based on whether the vet decides it is too costly, not worthwhile, etc. Wildlife has no National Health Service.
Luckily LM maintains video observation of foxes in the area so was able to give a brief background report on this fox:
"I've watched the whole video of her at normal speed on Friday night. She was moving normally, but she sat down for 2 mins which she hadn't done before , her ears were slightly not upright . She didn't come Saturday night, I think she got as far as my side of the pond . Where I found her Sunday am at 0630.
"So the onset was acute not degenerative. She has no injuries or bite marks. Vixen 4.52 kg and full teats -as she thawed out the teats were squeezed and milk emerged
"She will be going for toxicology and Histopathy."
Histopathology is the microscopic examination of tissue to study the manifestations of disease. It is the gold standard for diagnosing cancers, inflammatory conditions, and infectious diseases. By analyzing cellular structure, pathologists determine the exact nature of an abnormality, helping clinicians decide on the best treatment.)
LMs own vet took a look at the x-rays etc:
X-ray Fox SH001 31 05 26 photo (c)2026 Fox Study
"My vet just left ... he's very unhappy. Doesn't agree with the RSPCA vets reading of the X-rays . He thinks my fox was healthy and typical of a little tough old female mother fox surviving in this crappy area . He thinks they are old healed fractures . She's a good weight for a lactating female . He is happy to refer her for detailed autopsy and toxicology. Thinks the vet's assessment was arrogant and lazy
"He also wouldn't have put her to sleep ( notwithstanding her passing away potentially from overdose as they weighed her in a wet towel )"
Despite a few attempts the RSPCA never came up with any details as per dosages used -hence the questions we have over the possibility of overdosing. We had one fox in Bristol that was with a vet but died and as this was odd we arranged to pick up the body the next morning but on arriving were told that the fox had been collected without notice "Very early this morning and sent for incineration in Devon". The fox was labelled correctly but when we got details of meds given we found that it was given a far too high dose of anaesthetic and that likely caused death and would have shown up in post mortem testing. Two independent vets confirmed overdosing.
We therefore have two vets and two differing opinions and a necropsy really should have been carried out All we know from the PM carried out is that one vet stated fox had bone cancer. 2nd vet disagreed? No PM examination was carried out re cancer but ultimate cause of death was due to "industrial or chemical pollutants" not found on land owner's land. To be noted a kestrel and two buzzards were the voctimes of rat poison along with other species in a 500 metre radius strongly suggesting that deliberate actions are going on by "persons unknown".
The Fox Project published a video that was forwarded to me of a fox trapped and with cancer and euthanised. The following image comes from the video posted.
Above the mass on the fox's right side can be clearly seen and affected its ability to use the leg correctly.
Above: from the rear the mass can be quite clearly seen.
I asked The Fox Project if they had any veterinary report, X-rays or pre-euthanasia images of the fox. I also asked whether, since cancer in foxes is very rare, a post mortem had been carried out or planned. I got a brief response that they do not keep clinical records at the rescue(?) but I was given their main email to request such information. Then, today (15 09 2026) I received the x-ray and photo of the fox along with lump and a few answers (I have removed the name of the senior veterinary nurse for privacy reasons:
"Hi Terry,
Thank you for your email. Trev forwarded it onto me as I was the one who triaged her.
My vet wasn’t on site but after looking at the X-ray, she suspected it may have been a soft tissue sarcoma.
We have not completed any further testing as being a charity, we only tend to send off samples if it will change the outcome of a patient in our care.
I have attached the xray and a picture showing the extent of the growth to this email.
Hope this helps.
Best Wishes,"
First image shows far more clearly the size of the lump.
And next the x-ray. I actuially said "wow" out loud but Sarah Mills wrote "Wow. Wow. Wow." The poor fox must have been in some pain and I am glad that for once somebody bothered reporting it.
Soft-tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the body's soft tissues, including muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and connective tissues.
Soft-tissue sarcomas are cancers that originate in the soft tissues of the body, which connect, support, and surround other structures. They can occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly affect the arms, legs, and abdomen.
99% of UK fox rescues/wildlife hospitals tell me that they do not submit foxes for PMs so it is very possible -very likely in fact- that we miss a great deal that might push our knowledge on fox diseases and illnesses and treatments forward.
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