What are the treatment methods for red paw disease in foxes?

(1) Clinical symptoms

"Red paw disease" is actually vitamin C deficiency in newborn cubs of mink, raccoon dogs, foxes, and other animals. Its manifestations: the limbs and toe pads of newborn cubs become red and swollen, with ulceration, bleeding, and erosion between the toes, appearing purplish-red; their suckling ability is weak, they continuously make faint squeaking sounds, and crawl around restlessly in the den; some have thickened joints, and the tail becomes edematous and flushed, with the tail tip rotting off. It mainly harms cubs within 10 days of age, and mostly occurs as whole-litter outbreaks. If not treated promptly, most die within 5 days.

(2) Treatment methods

Normally, fully nutritious feed should be provided, especially for pregnant female animals. In addition to supplementing with fresh green vegetables, more than 25 mg of vitamin C should also be added to the daily ration. For affected cubs, vitamin C liquid can be given drop by drop orally, 2 times a day, about 10 drops each time. At the same time, the mother animal should also be given intramuscular injections of vitamin C injection, 2 times a day, 0.5-1 mL each time. Having sufficient cod liver oil in the mother animal's daily ration will help shorten the course of the disease and promote therapeutic efficacy.