How to Locate a Vet That Will Treat a Pet Fox

Before you buy a pet fox, you need to know that you have someone to take care of it. Professionally, this means a doctor who can perform routine preventive medicine--vaccines and heartworm checks, for example--and see your fox if he gets sick. Most veterinarians in suburban areas do not have experience or certification to care for more than the usual domestic pets. It is important to locate a vet that will treat more exotic pets, such as foxes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Speak to your current vet if you have one who treats your domestic pets. The vet may possibly be licensed to treat wild animals, though it is rare to find such an individual in most urban areas. Even if your vet cannot treat your fox, he may have a colleague or contact that can.
2. Visit your local wildlife or nature center. Organizations such as these promote respecting wild animals in their native habitat rather than keeping them as pets. However, they may have an on-site vet who will treat your fox.
3. Look into your local college or university's medical school. If they have a veterinary medicine program, they may have vets available to see your pet.
4. Contact the breeder from whom you bought your fox. As the owner of several foxes, the breeder will undoubtedly have a vet in his area who treats his animals, and may know of others to suggest.
5. Speak to other pet fox owners if you belong to a club or other type of network. Find out whom they take their foxes to.
6. Call your State Veterinarian to ask how to locate a vet for your pet. This doctor works for the agency that makes the laws and regulations regarding animals in your state, and may have an approved list of wildlife vets. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Veterinary Services website has a list of regional offices and addresses (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• People who work at wildlife centers or agencies protecting the habitats of wild animals, may not agree with the idea of keeping foxes are pets. It is best to prepare yourself in case you are met with some negative remarks.
• Because wildlife veterinarians are few and far between, you may have to travel some distance to have your fox treated.