Treatment of wild animals is difficult and not advised. Domestic dogs can get mange by contact with an infected animal but are easily treated. Gray foxes don’t have a problem with mange. Although a healthy animal, well fed and non-stressed, may have the mites present on their body, their immune system fights off and overcomes any problems. The mites are spread through contact with sites (dens, etc.) where the mites are present or through contact with infected animals (other coyotes or foxes). In late spring or summer they can survive the infection, and some might even improve if their immune system is not too compromised.Īll red foxes and coyotes may have a few of the mange mites on their body, but the weak and stressed animals (young, old, injured, etc.) are the most susceptible. If the animals have mange in the winter they typically do not (or rarely) survive. The season and weather conditions can influence how readily afflicted animals may succumb to the disease.
It is caused by an infestation of Sarcoptes scabiei canis, a burrowing mite, causing intense itching from an allergic reaction to the mite and resulting in hair loss. It is a highly contagious disease and can be easily spread to other animals and to humans. Sarcoptic mange is probably the biggest killer of red foxes and coyotes in New Jersey.
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