Any clues what might have killed this fella?

[kVA]

My dog wouldn't stop guarding my lean-to this morning... Kept going back there and just sitting in front of it - even attacked her own daughter when she went too close



Went to investigate and found this...



No sign of any injury / shotgun wound / puncture marks / blood... Teeth don't look like those of an old animal, neither does its coat... But then, I'm not an expert on foxes - do they sometimes just lie down and die?

Bit worried that it may have been poisoned - don't want my dogs to suffer the same fate

[kVA]

Close up of its head, in case that gives any more clues...



It seems to have ear-mites, or fleas, or something, but would be surprised if that killed it? :/

[blueg33]

Apart from the fact its dead, it looks pretty healthy.

My son works at a wildlife rescue hospital. He has looked at the pics and cannot diagnose from them, but typical factors with foxes that are apparently uninjured are:

Rat poison
Ingestion of anitfreeze (similar issue with cats)
Trauma that you cant see that caused internal injuries

[highflyer]

KVA the fox looks in really good condition lovely coat and tail, I would suggest as above, probably poisoned. Suggest you keep your dog well away DON'T let him touch it.

Edited by highflyer on Saturday 16th February 18:02

[croyde]

Sudden heart attack? I know smaller pets can go this way and unfortunately us humans, even when young and fit

[AdiT]

They say the culprit returns to the scene of the crime...

[kVA]

Cheers, guys - I was worried about poison, so I buried it, to be safe...

I have a can of antifreeze here, but it looks undamaged and I don't think any of my cars are leaking! A friend had a dog die that way once, not nice

[Turn7]

Much as I know Foxes can be utter killing machines, I still think they are a beautifull creature and feel sad when I see dead ones.

[ali_kat]

My heart was in my mouth that something had happened to one of yor dogs then kVA!

[kVA]

ali_kat said:

My heart was in my mouth that something had happened to one of yor dogs then kVA!

Thankfully not, and thank you for caring

But I am a bit concerned that the fox obviously died in their playground and will be paranoid about any little symptoms of behavioural change for a while

I hate mysteries with such serious consequences and it is the wildlife that keeps me fighting for my share of a property jointly owned with the ex from hell (she makes 'the mental' seem like a slightly amusing little characteristic!)