A rescued fox has undergone brain surgery at a British vets in the first operation of its kind in the world.

The cub, named Hazel by rescuers, was found at the side of the road in Maidstone, Kent, lying next to her mother who had been killed by a car.

Rescuers rushed the six-week-old fox cub to Kent Wildlife Rescue Service where volunteers noticed she had an enlarged forehead.

As she grew, she began suffering seizures and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which causes fluid to build up around the brain.

The condition was also affecting her behaviour and her eyesight.

Since she was rescued last June, Hazel started suffering seizures triggered by pressure building around her brain.

The wildlife charity contacted Linnaeus-owned North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR) in Bletchingley, Surrey, for help.

Veterinary surgeon and neurology specialist Dr Veronica Mortera agreed to carry out the pioneering operation on Hazel's brain.

Hazel was fitted with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) to drain build-up of fluid on the brain into the abdomen.

Following the surgery, Hazel spent a week recovering in the animal hospital's intensive care unit (ICU) before she returned to the centre.

It is believed to have been a world-first, with the operation having never been carried out on a fox before.

Dr Mortera said: "The main difficulty with Hazel's treatment was the lack of data available. "

"There are a small number of case reports published about hydrocephalus in foxes, but none about surgery for this condition. "

"It was also such a complex procedure to carry out in what is essentially a wild animal. "

"In veterinary neurology, we do not have all the answers for the hydrocephalus cases, much less in a fox, however, many cases can have a good prognosis and since this "
surgery is more commonly performed, we are seeing more successful stories.

"The complication rate is very high though, at 20 or 30 per cent but this also means, of course, 70 per cent of cases can do well and improved markedly. "

"To my knowledge, a VPS has not been reported in a fox before in the scientific veterinary literature, but I am unaware if there are any unpublished cases. "

"A standardised decision-making protocol for treatment of this condition does not exist in foxes. "

"In dogs, we have surgical and medical treatment. The partial response to medical treatment makes surgery the gold standard long term, despite complications. "

"Hazel's carers consider her quality of life has potential and wanted to offer the best possible chance for her at life."

"Hazel was a pleasure to work with, very docile and sweet during her hospitalisation. "

"She will need ongoing medication but we hope the surgery will help her neurological signs long term. "

"We are pleased Hazel is doing well following surgery and is now back home." "

Since the operation, Hazel has not suffered from any seizures and is enjoying life back at the centre.

Wildlife rescuer Lorraine St John said: "Hazel is back home now and doing brilliantly – no seizures or circling which she had before."

"The operation went well but took a little longer than expected. "

"It's the first time ever this operation has been carried out on a fox, so there is nothing really to compare it to. "

"The team at NDSR have been amazing and are doing everything they can whilst Hazel is in their care. We can't thank them enough."