Mange Season in the Midwest: Nonprofit Helps Wildlife in Need

One Missouri non-profit is doing its part to help rehabilitate sick animals across the country, including Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. They are tackling mange season head on, and you can actually help.

What Exactly is Mange and What Wildlife Does It Impact?

Mange is skin diseased caused by a microscopic and parasitic mite. There are several different species of mange causing mites, according to WildlifeCenter.org, each with its own preferred host from ranging from bears, squirrels, racoons, and bobcats to domesticated dogs.

Sarcoptic Mange is Caused by the Same Mite That Causes Scabies in Humans

The most common type of mange is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite - the same species of mite that causes scabies in humans. Sarcoptic mange is most frequently seen in foxes and coyotes. These mites are easily spread in wildlife communities much in the same way human head lice is easily spread at public schools or inside family homes. In their larval and nymph phases, Sarcoptes scabiei mite can survive in the environment for weeks while awaiting a host animal.

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Mange Often Results in Secondary Infections for Wildlife

While mange mites themselves are not necessarily life threatening to an infected animal, the side effects and subsequent symptoms of mange certainly can be. The extreme hair loss and itching these animals experience can lead to secondary skin infections. In addition to losing hair, the animal can become emaciated, lethargic, and depressed.

Although affected animals are usually physically capable of eating, they often cannot consume enough calories to support themselves nutritionally while also trying to fight off the disease. Some animals will develop compromised sight/hearing due to the severity of crusting around the ears/eyes.-WildlifeCenter.org

There Is a Way You Can Help Wildlife Affected by Sarcoptic Mange

If you have ever seen a fox or coyote affected by Sarcoptic mange, you may have wondered if there is anything you can do to help. This is where Bi-State Wildlife Hotline of Missouri and Illinois can step up for an assist. They say that the months of September - November are "mange season," but also point out that the side effects of mange can make surviving the winter months incredibly difficult for these animals.

Mange by Mail Program Ships to 49 US States & Canada

Bi-State Wildlife Hotline of Missouri and Illinois has a "Mange By Mail Program" that is available to anyone in the U.S (excluding residents of California) and Canada. For a small donation to the non-profit that covers only the cost of shipping, they will send you the necessary medication, along with the needed container, syringes, and printed instructions.

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While 100% Legal to Ship, Not Everyone Supports Helping Wildlife with Mange

Of course, medicating a wild animal that is sick is no easy task, and should be done so with extreme caution. Additionally, Bi-State Wildlife Hotline points out that while it is perfectly legal for them to mail you the necessary supplies to help a sick animal, not all governmental wildlife authorities and DNRs appreciate them doing it.

However, just because it is LEGAL for us to ship this medication to you, that does NOT mean that your local wildlife authority is pleased by us doing so. Many wildlife agencies still believe that foxes and coyotes are “nuisance species” and have no value. You will often hear these agencies tell you to “Let nature take it’s course”. What they mean by that is that they have no intention of helping, they don’t know anyone else locally that can or will help, and that you should just turn a blind eye to the animal in your yard or neighborhood that is suffering and miserable.

Concerned? Check Your State and Local Wildlife Ordinances

Bi-State Wildlife Hotline advises those who may have concerns to research your state and local governments codes. They also emphasize that it is perfectly legal for these kits to be mailed to you via USPS should you decide you want one.

You CANNOT get in trouble for ordering a Mange by Mail kit. There is NOTHING inside or pertaining to our kits that is illegal. We have consulted with state pharmacy boards, the Federal Trade Commission and the US Postal Inspector to ensure the legality of this program.

More About Bi-State Wildlife Hotline, Inc.

Bi-State Wildlife Hotline, Inc was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 2011, and its dedicated team has been working ever since to educate the public in a way that fosters appreciation and understanding for native animals in hopes of preserving wildlife and their habitats.

To purchase a Mange by Mail Program Kit, visit WildlifeHotline.com.

Avoid Using This Common Product to Help Prevent Mange in Local Wildlife

In addition to helping a sick animal with one of Bi-State Wildlife Hotline's Mange by Mail Kits, there is a way you can help local wildlife from getting sick with mange in the first place - stop using rodenticide poison.

Rodenticide Poison is Slow Acting and is a Threat to Wildlife

This common bait poison used to rid your home of rodents is very slow acting - often taking three to five days to reach its intended purpose. In that time, while that animal is suffering, it often becomes an easy target for predators like foxes and coyotes. Once a fox or coyote ingests a mouse that has been poisoned, that poison then, while enough to kill the fox or coyote, is certainly enough to weaken and suppress its immune system making it more susceptible to mange and the secondary infections that can come with it.

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Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals