Why does the fox look so scruffy and scabby? | |||
Foxes with scruffy fur and scabby skin might be infested with mange mites. This intensely itchy disease is known as "scabbies" or fox mange. Even dogs can become infected but cases with humans are very rare. The disease can be treated for both domestic pets and humans. So, if you have any doubts consult your doctor or vet. | |||
< questions | links > | Throughout the world mange affects various species of mammals. Among our native wild animals this disease mainly occurs in the red fox and, less frequently, beech marten, wolf or lynx. Epidemics mainly break out in species living in social structures because it is transmitted via direct contact between the animals. Here mange first appeared in the 1980's. It began in west Switzerland then spread eastwards. Nowadays cases of fox mange are found all over Switzerland.
Mange is a skin disease. In foxes mange is caused by the sarcoptic mite (Sarcoptes scabei). This arachnid measures 0.4 mm and burrows into the infested animal's skin where it lives on skin cells and body fluids. The female lays eggs which hatch as larvae and then grow into adults. Symptoms are hair loss, red patches, flaky skin and finally black scabs. These changes to the skin cause intense itching. The fox scratches these irritating spots, which leads to open wounds and infections. The animal eats less and less, loses weight and dies within a few months. Human and pets can also catch mange. The disease is usually less serious in humans and heals spontaneously; however, it can be very itchy. If left untreated, mange in dogs can be fatal.
Related questions Why has the fox lost so much weight? Do foxes attack humans? Are there still any foxes with rabies? Are there too many foxes in urban areas? home | © |