After a fox cub was found on the side of the road in Nottinghamshire, England, after being hit by a car and unable to move his legs, rehabilitators realized that hydrotherapy could be an option to help his recovery.
The cub, named Chance, has now begun moving his hind legs and has even tried to stand, a major improvement considering the person who found him had reportedly been told he should be put to sleep.
Here's what to know
According to British media outlet Chad, Mansfield Wildlife Rescue is now caring for Chance, who goes each week to Mansfield Canine Swim & Splash, a hydrotherapy service run by the Mansfield Canine Centre.
After a local resident came across him in the road and saw that his back legs were not working, the cub was brought to Mansfield Wildlife Rescue.
The organization said the fox's initial rescuer had already contacted two vets and been told the cub would likely be put down, per Chad. Instead, the Mansfield Wildlife Rescue started pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication while its vet evaluated the severity of the injury.
Nathan Edge, one of the owners of the Mansfield Canine Centre, told the outlet that Chance's early progress has been promising.
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"He is starting to get some movement in the back legs and starting to try and stand up on his own, which is amazing in just a few weeks. It's early days but to have such good results so early on is very promising," Edge said to Chad.
More background
While hydrotherapy is a familiar recovery tool for dogs after surgery, injury, or long-term mobility problems, it is far less common in the rehabilitation of a wild fox cub. Chance's rehabilitation is currently centered on pool sessions, where he can rebuild strength and mobility with less strain on his injured back legs than he would face on land.
Edge explained why the therapy has been so helpful to Chad, saying, "Swimming gives him the opportunity to gently use his body and build strength and muscle while taking the weight off his back legs."
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