Mange in Foxes Across Northern Virginia
In the past year, the AWLA’s Animal Services team has received a higher than average number of reports about ill-looking foxes in Alexandria. The majority of these reports seem to be describing foxes suffering from mange, visibly resulting in fur loss and/or crusty skin in infected foxes.
What is Mange?
Sarcoptic mange is a disease caused by parasitic mites that is unfortunately common among foxes in our area. It is incredibly contagious between foxes. Along with fur loss and crusty skin, mange can also cause itchiness, open sores and lead to secondary health issues like vision problems because of scabbing on the eyelids. Foxes affected by mange are just as mobile and energetic as healthy foxes, but because they are more desperate for resources like food, they are more likely to be seen during the daytime.
Is It Dangerous?
Mange is highly contagious between foxes. It can also spread to house pets or even humans; however, it is unlikely to spread to any living beings that are not in close contact. Standard flea and tick preventatives also can limit the spread of mange to dogs.
If untreated, mange can be deadly in foxes, as it leaves them susceptible to secondary infections and too unhealthy to forage for the food they need to survive.
How Can I Help?
Virginia state law does not permit the AWLA’s Animal Services team to interfere with or move healthy wildlife; however, if a fox is infested with mange so severely that it can no longer hunt for food, then we are able to trap them and bring them to licensed wildlife rehabbers for treatment. Through a partnership with A.E.R.O Wildlife Rescue, who manage a fox mange treatment program, AWLA’s Animal Services team are able to help our wild fox neighbors recover and live a healthier life.
If you’ve noticed a fox with mange spending time consistently in your neighborhood in the City of Alexandria, contact our team at AnimalServices@AlexandriaAnimals.org or by calling 703.746.6000. We’ll work with you to see if we can help to trap the fox and bring them to a licensed rehabber who can treat the manage outbreak and then release it back to the wild, generally in 2 to 4 weeks.
Foxes are native to Northern Virginia, and healthy foxes can spend a majority of their time without interacting with humans or pets. With your help, a fox with mange can be transformed from a local blight to a quiet neighbor once more.
