2 images of a fox kit in a carrier with blankets who's head of round

Apple shortly after intake

Image of animal carrier on vet table with a woman in front words reading: Apple is now the first documented red fox in U.S. history to undergo a successful brain surgery for VP shunt placement for hydrocephalus

Apple being picked up from surgery

Image of fox kit in an enclosure with a shaved neck post surgery

Apple 1 week post surgery alert and moving

image of the back of a fox kit's neck with fur growing back over an incision

Apple 5 weeks post surgery acting her normal self with no new symptoms from hydrocephalus.

This is Apple. She's the first red fox in the U.S. and probably the first fox period in the U.S. to undergo surgery to have a shunt placed to aid with fluid build up in the brain caused by hydrocephalus.

She is another resident fox of Arctic Fox Daily. She's one of two kits taken in at the same time and the only to survive. Arctic Fox Daily has been building their medical vet network to get more answers and find solutions for foxes with hydrocephalus who aren't ready to give up on life.

Apple's initial MRI was conducted in mid May of 2026. She was treated with medication which helped but did not completely solve the issue. Apple was still slowly declining. It was clear she needed a shunt. Apple had surgery early September 2026 and is doing very well so far. She is full of life and ready to take on the world. Or, at least social media.

YouTube video of Apple coming home

all 10 comments

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[–] 16 points 1 week ago

This is awesome news! Yay for Apple!

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  • [–] 10 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Good for her!

    Hydrocephally can be hard to detect in animals, and takes too many of them before intervention can occur

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  • [–] 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    You can tell he's a red fox because every time he experiences any kind of adversity, he immediately clutches his chest and starts screaming about how he's coming home.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 week ago

    She's so cute! I'm so glad the surgery went well!

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  • Ok I guess I'll forgive the Porsha post because you made and told me about this one. I hadn't seen the surgery updates this is wonderful shes getting so much bigger now too.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    It was my turn to post Apple!

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  • hideshow 1 child comment