Significant Diseases of Two Very Aged Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes, Demarest 1820)

Abstract

Diseases of two very old red foxes Lawler et al.

Skeletal remains of five blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska: A view of differential diagnosis

“…The authors observed that varying bone quality may result from disease severity, rate of progression, and interspecies differences. In another report, chronic renal disease in elderly sheltered red foxes (Lawler et al, 2017) did not occur with overt NSH. These studies further underscore the importance of focused attention on differential diagnosis, and understanding that outcomes of diseases may be variable and time related.…”

“…Skeletal components that were available from each of the foxes are shown in Supporting Information S1. Skeletal observations were divided into categories: pathology that is unique to the circumstances of these five foxes (Conlogue et al, 1979; Kucklick et al, 2002; Ogden & Conlogue, 1981; Spraker & White, 2017; Whalen et al, 1977) and pathology that can be observed on skeletal components of many foxes and other canids (Lawler, Becker, et al, 2016; Lawler & Evans, 2016; Lawler et al, 2012, 2017, 2019; Mustonen et al, 2017) (Table 1). The volume and detail of both observation categories necessitate presentation as a Supporting Information S2.…”

“…Axial skeletal features that are observed on many vulpine remains (Lawler et al, 2012, 2017, 2019; Mustonen et al, 2017) variously included evidence of alveolar, perialveolar, periodontal, and/or periosteal disease (porous bone, bone covering empty alveoli or tooth roots, tooth damage or loss, inter‐root bone peaks, receding alveolar margins, and perialveolar boney rims along dental arcades) (Figures 1 and S1). Vertebrae variously revealed mild boney proliferation, rough irregular bone, porous or rough ventral vertebral body, and focal‐to‐multifocal spondylosis.…”

“…Appendicular skeletal features that are observed on many vulpine forelimb or hind limb remains (Lawler et al, 2012, 2017, 2019; Mustonen et al, 2017) variously included articular surface eburnation or fibrillation, periarticular fibrillar bone, articular porous margin or boney rims, healed fracture, rough or porous articular bone surface, periarticular or encircling rough bone or boney proliferation, acetabular fossa osteophytes, and osteophytes impinging articular surface margins. Additional femoral features included joint capsule insertion osteophytes, circumferential femoral head osteophyte, caudolateral curvilinear osteophyte, and osteophyte‐rimmed round ligament attachment.…”

“…However, there are significant caveats that impact archaeological diagnosis in particular, and several additional differential diagnoses also must be considered. By comparison, those pathological changes that can be observed on many or most fox skeletal remains could reflect the rigorous lives of carnivores or conserved traits (Lawler et al, 2012, 2017, 2019; Mustonen et al, 2017). For an expanded view of bone minerals homeostasis, see Supporting Information S3.…”