A puppy-like fox with an oversized head will undergo surgery next week in an attempt to stop her seizures.

Hazel was taken in by Sheerness charity Kent Wildlife Rescue in April 2023, after she was found lying in the road in Maidstone next to her mother, who had been hit by a car.

The cub, just a few weeks old at the time, was taken to the rescue where volunteers noticed her abnormally sized head.

Volunteer Gill Bishop told KentOnline: “She had a very large head so we weren’t sure what was wrong with her to start with.

“We settled her in with other cubs we had at the time, got her warmed up and eating and then kept an eye on her.”

She was taken for a vet check and the rescue was told she may need an MRI in the future to figure out if she had any issues.

In July of that year, Hazel had her first seizure and a scan revealed she had hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, causing increased pressure in her head which leads to the seizures.

Gill continued: “We were told that an operation was possible but that we’d have to find someone who was able to perform it as the vets we usually use weren’t able to.

“She was put on anti-seizure medication which helped but she does still have them and each one can cause brain damage.

“It would be impossible to count how many seizures she’s had. Sometimes she can go a couple of months without having any but there’s other instances where she’ll have five in a week.”

The rescue got in contact with North Downs Specialist Referrals which is based in Surrey. It agreed to perform the operation on Hazel, however it is going to cost up to £13,000.

As the procedure is rarely performed on a fox, the vets had to import equipment from Germany, which has added to the bill.

Gill said: “She is going to have a shunt put in her head and internal tubing to drain the fluid into her abdomen.

“Her eyesight has been slightly affected by the seizures and because of the formation of her skull her eyes are slightly more wide apart than a fox’s should be.

“She is a mischievous little madam.

“She charges around like a puppy with the zoomies and loves a black bin bag.

“Hazel often bumps into things and will run into your legs, and loves playing with her toys.

“She has a friend that's a crow and recently had a puppy who she was best friends with. She’s a happy little fox.”

Hazel has free roam around the centre and doesn’t spend any time in a cage or pen, sleeping wherever she wants.

She also helps the charity to educate the public, and will often attend events across Swale.

Her surgery will be taking place on Monday morning, and the charity has set up a GoFundMe page to help with vet costs. Donations can be made here.

Gill added: “We’re excited to get the operation done because it could mean a complete change for Hazel, but with every surgery there’s always a risk.

“So we’re a bit apprehensive but hopeful at the same time.

“If the seizures can be brought down or stopped altogether that would be great, and she could live another six or seven years.

“She is such a lovely-natured fox who will never be able to be released back into the wild because of her condition.

“We want to make her as comfortable and happy as possible and hopefully this surgery will get her there.”