02/24/2025
Did you know that mange in foxes and coyotes is directly related to the use of rat poison? The mites that cause mange are a normal part of living in the wild. Normally animals groom themselves to keep the numbers of these mites to a minimum. However, if a fox or coyote consumes a mouse, rat, mole, vole, etc. that has been poisoned by rat poison it makes them ill for 5-7 days, with nausea and vomiting, similar to human "food poisoning". During this illness the animal stops grooming themselves, and the others in their group keep their distance to preserve their own health. When the animal recovers, the damage is done. The mites have become overwhelming in quantity and the mange disease process has begun. Soon the fox/coyote will begin to intensely itch as the mites burrow into tunnels just below the surface of the skin, and spotty hair loss will become noticeable, usually starting at the tail. They also start to become less adept at hunting prey as they become sleep deprived and the mange spreads to the face where it can impact their eyesight. This is the result of a local business, restaurant or new housing development in your area using inconspicuous, black rat poison bait boxes to "control the rodent population". 🥺 There has to be a better way! In the meantime, if you see a fox or coyote with hair loss, low body weight or emaciation, scratching incessantly and in trouble, please visit our Mange by Mail Program page to help: https://zurl.co/3gTqw
