Mange In Foxes... We have had an increase in calls this week regarding foxes with mange. In one case we were called by a couple from Alvaston in Derby after they had been observing two foxes coming into their garden every night. The foxes appeared to be suffering with severe mange and, believing they were doing the right thing, they contacted a larger organisation for help in catching the foxes. Initially they were advised to simply feed the foxes and call them back if the foxes returned. The next day the gentleman saw both foxes in the garden and one was now limping so the organisation, who we shall not name, was called again. After six days of calling for help and receiving varying excuses, one of the foxes finally succumbed to her injuries and died under a small bush in the garden. Again the gentleman asked for help but was told that there was no guarantee they could help and local vets could not hand out any medication either. They called us yesterday and we took a trap over and set it up. Unfortunately we have not yet caught the remaining fox and the previous six days wasted trying to get help were crucial in getting this fox help. It may be that we are too late and the fox has died but we are hoping he returns and is caught. Mange is a skin disease caused by a microscopic burrowing mite known as Sarcoptes Scabei. In large numbers the mite causes intense itchiness and damages hair follicles causing hair loss. The fox will scratch and, in severe cases, will develop sores and open wounds leading to secondary infections such as dermatitis, conjunctivitis and even renal failure. Mange affects a large number of the fox population but is regularly seen in juveniles, immune-suppressed individuals and elderly animals. It is highly contagious to other foxes and is spread via direct contact and sharing living quarters within the den. It is crucial that infected foxes are treated as soon as possible. This can be with a herbal product in the less serious cases but those with over 30% hair loss should be treated with an anti-parasitic medications and those with open wounds or infection should be trapped and treated at a wildlife care unit. We currently have two traps out to catch foxes with severe forms of mange and we have also sent out a few batches of medication to treat foxes in the gardens they visit. If you see a fox with mange, please call your local wildlife rescue or a fox welfare organisation rather than contacting an organisation that deals in a broader range of animals. This frequently leads to the wrong information and advice being given out and can mean the difference between life and death. For those in our catchment area, we can be contacted 24 hours a day on 07780742748.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 18:16:25 +0000
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