If a fox has mange it does not mean that it will die

 

Mange is something I have been looking at for a good while now. We know that it was brought to the UK though imported foxes. Basically, in the old days if a fox had mange then every fox in an area was killed even if it looked healthy. After all, the hunt could always purchase more foxes later.

We see foxes that are almost hairless but they survive mange even when it is not treated. The mites cause the irritation and then comes hair loss and open wounds from the fox biting itself. These can become infected and then problems set in.

Here is what may sound like the shocker: mange in and of itself may/probably not kill a fox. There are a lot of underlying health conditions with some foxes that, obviously, no one can see. Worms -heart and lung worms are endemic in foxes in Bristol.

Pernicious pneumonia is another common factor.

This is why it is a shame that not all foxes are submitted whether mange/RTA or not because they can give us big clues as to what actually kills the fox. A good, healthy fox that has a good supply of food and so plenty of physical strength is far more likely to survive. Why? Yes, the fox had mange but it looked bulky enough so was feeding in which case what was there a combination of that proved fatal to the fox? Pneumonia? Worms? Some other internal health problem that was escalated by the mange or that might have killed the fox even if it did not have mange?

Sadly, we are not state funded as in Italy where all dead wildlife are taken for post mortem examination. In a way that means the authorities could spot a disease or virus before it gets more serious.

It would be interesting and advantageous to veterinary science (not that most vets really care about a fox) to have a study looking at foxes found dead and with mange but to be frank I can never see that happening as politicians are most interested in getting the votes and foxes" just are not a vote winner.

When I encountered mange in the past I put out food that had oil in it -cod liver oil- as the fox skin becomes dry and if it can build up oils it helps the skin. Seemed to work but that was in conjunction with the Fox rescuers drops.

Hopefully I will have a little more information on a natural and cheap treatment that will help and post on this during the week.

If a fox has mange it does not mean that it will die. It's what else is wrong with it that may be the killer.