Sarcoptic mange is the single most common disease in British foxes.

Sarcoptes Scabeii has a number of sub-species that produce infections in different species. That which causes canine, or dog mange (all too often incorrectly referred to as fox mange) is different to that which produces similar infections in cats and horses or scabies in humans. While the mites need hosts on which to feed and breed, they can survive in the environment for a considerable period. Being microscopic, it is virtually impossible to locate the source of infection or guess at the point the affected animal contracted the disease in the first place.

Re-infection

It is a mistake to think removing an infected animal from the area will make any difference. Parasites will still be present locally and the risk of re-infection may remain. Rather than removing an animal, it is more sensible to think in terms of treating it. On average, we receive twenty enquiries per day from householders worried about "their" mangy foxes. Many are convinced the animals are doomed and are delighted to learn the condition is easily treated. Depending on the level of infection, treatment given to captive foxes is usually successful, with two injections of Ivomec or Panomec given over a two week period along with antibiotics to deal with any skin infection.

Avoiding Stress

In many cases, the animal will have been cage trapped, but, in order to avoid the stress of capture, our policy is not to trap a fox suffering with minor mange if it can be successfully treated in its own environment. Where feasible, Ivomec or Panomec may be applied orally by adding to food. But this depends on the predictability of the affected animal's feeding pattern, or whether it can be individually targeted when other foxes may share the territory. Accurate targeting is absolutely vital with veterinary products. If neither trapping nor treating on site with veterinary medication are suitable options, where does that leave you? More importantly where does it leave the foxes?

Targeting and Results

Where a number of foxes are to be treated or where they cannot be targeted individually, treatment in the wild is, at best, a shot in the dark. One dare not put out too much of the veterinary medications for fear of an animal ingesting a dangerous level, so a safer option has to be considered. Following trials in association with various pharmacists and practitioners, we can confidently recommend a homoeopathic treatment consisting of arsenicum 30c and sulphur 30c. "But does it work?" we hear sceptics ask.

Some spectacular recoveries have been achieved and we have found the treatment proven effective on foxes suffering up to 70% mange, which covers most reported cases. While positive results on foxes suffering more than 70% visible mange are less convincing, it nevertheless adds another string to the wildlife rescuer's bow. For those who consider complimentary treatments akin to voodoo - the placebo effect that only works because you believe in them - think about it. For animals, the placebo effect does not exist. Animals don't have an opinion! Information by the Fox Project. Web site.

Foxes being very agile creatures find no difficulty in scaling six feet fences and in doing so will often receive sprains and other minor injuries. If a leg appears to be flapping unusually or is being dragged or sticking out at a strange angle please phone and inform them on there emergency numbers. 07941 591120 - 07968 853060 - 07929 063450 in the Derbyshire area and surrounding area UK only in your own area contact your local animal welfare society in your own country.