Hydrotherapy pool helps injured fox cub to recover

A fox cub is having swimming sessions in a hydrotherapy pool to help his recovery after he was hit by a car.

Chance, as his rescuers have aptly named him, lay injured by the roadside, with his back legs immobile, for days before he was spotted by a member of the public.

Vets who examined him initially thought he may have to be put down, but Mansfield Wildlife Rescue in Nottinghamshire stepped in to rehabilitate him.

This has involved assisted swimming with his designated carer from the rescue at an indoor hydrotherapy pool, usually used by dogs at the Mansfield Canine Centre, to help rebuild his confidence and strength.

Chance was found injured in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, in June.

The centre said he had all the necessary vaccinations before attending free swimming sessions at its pool, which meets all hydrotherapy regulations.

His contact with humans ever since has been limited to help him prepare for the wild again.

Chelsea, from the rescue, follows advice from Chance's vet and specialists at the centre to help his mobility in the pool.

Rescue volunteer Cathy Fraser, 44, who also works at the canine centre, said the future now looks bright for Chance.

"When you see that it looked like there was no chance he was going to survive, to now, it's just an incredible journey and to be a part of it is just so lucky," Fraser said.

"It's amazing that this little act of kindness [from the canine centre] is going to go a long way to potentially Chance being released and living a full, wild life, like he should do."

Chance has begun to use his back legs more to support himself, has started to regain sensation in them and kicks them in the water.

If he can fully recover, he will be released back into the wild.

Cheryl Martins, the rescue founder, said they had seen an increase this year in foxes being hit by vehicles.

She believes this is because of land development and the hot weather forcing them out further and at busier times, looking for food.

"Obviously, land's being built and on that was their home, so they're being chased out of their natural habitat," she said.

"The weather's definitely also had an impact this year. A lot of the rodents that they would normally find and hunt are keeping out of the way because of the weather.

"They're moving more into towns and cities looking for food, so therefore they're getting into the busier roads and getting run over while they're out searching."

She said foxes were also coming out in the daytime in their search for food and water, when the roads were busier, increasing their risk.

Five foxes have been brought into the centre this year after they were hit by vehicles, compared to two last year.

Although Martins said this was partly down to more people knowing to call them, she believed there had been a "big rise" in the number being hit, with many left on the roadside.

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