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Mange in Foxes Treatment & Advice
This article, is regarding Mange and its treatments towards foxes and other wildlife species found here in the UK.
Mange is caused by mange mites, which are found naturally in the environment. The condition is passed by close contact between animals. The mites cause intense itching resulting in fur loss and cracked skin, which soon becomes infected. As the condition progresses, secretions cause ‘crust’ to form on the skin, the fox becomes dehydrated, tired from intensive itching and may also develop secondary infections such as conjunctivitis and septicaemia due to the drop in the animals immune system.
If left untreated the condition will most likely prove fatal.
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What is mange?
Once the fox is caught, mange is easily treatable. Usually, the fox will be stabilised with intense fluid therapy to combat metabolic shock ,followed by liquid nutrition to help bolster the animals natural bodies defence system.
A course of antibiotics may be administered to fight secondary infection and once the animal is stable, then treatment to control the mange can begin.
This is usually done with either a spot-on treatment or an injectable antiparasitic depending on the type and severity of the mange being treated.
Can foxes be treated?
Almost all of the veterinary drugs and treatment methods required in order to treat mange effectively are only legally obtained and prescribed by a registered veterinary surgeon. Not to mention, that none of the drugs are licenced for foxes or are legally allowed to be administered to a fox unless a full examination has been carried out by an 'attending vet'.
Therefore it would be both illegal and challenged ethically to consider offering these drugs 'out in the field' in any given capacity towards a wild fox.
Does the fox have to be caught in order to treat?
Some organisations recommend the use of Homeopathic medication arsenicum 30c and sulphur 30c or psorinum 30c given on a daily basis.
Its worth noting that there's very little scientific data indicating that the use of homeopathic remedies treat mange in foxes. And serious consideration towards the welfare of the 'suffering animal 'should be considered before using them.
For example, if there is a secondary infection, the use of antibiotics may be required, for which the homeopathic remedies will not likely treat, therefore breaking animal welfare legislation of allowing an animal to continue suffering unnecessarily.
What about
homeopathic remedies?
We opt to use humane traps in order to capture and transport the fox back to our casualty centre in order for the animal to receive treatment. These provide very little stress towards the animal, if done correctly.
Sometimes, the fox is so weak and ill, that we are able to safely handle the fox and bring the straight back via our wildlife ambulance service. This should only ever be attempted by trained and experienced wildlife medics. Foxes can and will inflict serious injuries if handled incorrectly.
If a fox cannot or does not get up and scamper when you approach them, this is an emergency and a suitable wildlife rescue should be contacted immediately.
How should foxes be caught?
We wouldn't recommend this at all.
Firstly, without knowing the weight of the intended animal, or performing a thorough examination to ascertain its condition, the use of any treatment isn't going to be guaranteed to work effectively.
Also Under or Over dosing medication is a very big NO NO.
Its these sorts of bad practices that lead to medication resistance, which is a major concern within the profession at the moment.
Also, some medications are actually extremely toxic not only towards the environment, but could also present significant hazards towards other animals, such as microbiological organisms, dogs and other domestic animals, as foxes are known to cache food items away. Which could be picked up by any other animal unintentionally.
Therefore, treatment should be reserved and carried out only by veterinary and wildlife rehabilitation professionals.
Can I treat foxes in their food?
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