hello

Wisley has had his first set of injections (at 9 weeks) but not his second lot (due at 12 weeks - he is nearly 11 weeks now). We're really keen for him to get used to new environments in his socialisation programme asap as he's a completely different pup in our house (boisterous and playful) compared with at puppy lcass (silent, moody, stationary - clearly abit frightened). We'd like to take him to play in my mother's garden this weekend. No dogs have been there but we know some foxes live in a den at the end of the garden. Please could anyone comment on whether this is likely to be dangerous for the pup if he's not fully vaccinated yet (or is it only unvaccinated dogs he needs to steer clear of)?

Many thanks in advance

wisleyma

I would not take him.  There is hardly a garden in the UK that does not have a fox or three at least passing through it on occassion, but a garden with a den would be too big a risk for a puppy that has not been fully immunized.  Not to mention foxes are generally heavy with worms, various parasites and may also have mange. 

It's just not worth the risk. 

Stacey

For the sake of a week until his next injections its just not worth the risk - keep him in!!

I wouldn't take him. Not at all until the area around the den is fenced off so he can't come into physical contact with an area of heavy fox-traffic. My mother's adult, fully vaccinated golden caught fox-mange from putting his head down a fox earth and coming into contact with the soil which the foxes regularly touched. It took weeks of special baths to clear him of it. Your pup's immune system wouldn't be up to fighting that off.

good advice. thanks v much all. we'll keep him cooped for the moment!!

I have no idea what breed your dog is, but as this is the time of year that young foxes are fending for themselves & food is harder to come by simply by way of the numbers of adolecent foxes about :( then I would keep any small or toy breed away from your mothers garden for fear of him ending up as lunch!!!