Share:
Fuchsräude rampant Attention large risk of infection for dogs
Highly contagious
Fuchsräude refers to a mite infestation, which usually leads to death in wild animals. The pathogen is the grave mite Sarcoptes scabiei. By direct or indirect contact with infected animals, the disease is easily transmitted. Wild animals such as wolves, raccoons, badgers, mice and wild boar are as susceptible to it as dogs and cats - even humans can become infected.
Mange-infested foxes will lose their coat and parasites will destroy their skin (Image: Jim Mills / fotolia.com) In contrast to rabies, which is no longer a danger in German foxes thanks to baits, fox manure can not be prevented by preventive vaccinations: A mite is arachnid and not a virus.
With pets, the disease can be treated well, and in humans it is untreated even annoying, but not fatal.
Symptoms of the fox
The sarcoptic mites are recognizable as single animals only with the magnifying glass. The parasites feed on cell and tissue fluids. As a result, the coat falls out of the skin of infected foxes, the naked skin becomes flaky and forms wrinkles.
Chupacabras, mythical creatures of Latin America, often turned out to be coyotes, dogs or foxes, whose hair had fallen out and which the mange mites had so eaten the skin that the locals saw monsters in them.
The worst inflammations are usually on the head and on the chest of the foxes - the mites however spread on the whole body.
How do dogs become infected??
Foxes are generally dangerous for dogs. Dogs like foxes are canids - many pathogens feel comfortable with both.
Dogs can easily become infected if they come into direct contact with a fox or its burrow. Hunting dogs are therefore particularly at risk during a fox hunt - for example dachshunds, whose task is to crawl into fox and roof caves in order to chase out the inhabitants.
In the forest, however, dog owners should keep their dogs on a leash anyway - but foxes are no longer just living in "nature", but everywhere in the cities and towns.
Sick foxes die most of the time, and dogs love to roll in carcasses. If your dog wallow in such a scent source, they should pay attention in the weeks after, whether he scratched unusually often.
Outside the host body
Mange mites can last around three weeks in the environment without a host. Dogs can therefore become infected at any location where a sick animal is.
As infested animals scrub their fur and roll to get rid of the parasites, they spread the mites on grass, on logs, beams or stones. The scrub areas then smell like fox, so they magically attract dogs - and the pets catch the parasites.
Once the mites are in the house, they stick everywhere where the host animal lives - especially in dog coats or dog baskets.
Symptoms in dogs
Fuchsräude in dogs can be easily recognized and treated easily, but is associated with suffering for the dog. A few weeks after the infection, when the mites have spread, the affected animal itches the skin. Itchy rash can have many causes; However, the itching in mange is getting stronger, because the female mites drill into the skin, lay down their eggs there, leave excrement and suck the parasites on the tissue.
The dog can barely sleep, scratches and bites constantly in the affected areas. Often he tears open the already inflamed skin, causing it to bleed.
The wounds become slightly more infectious, and without treatment, a thick scab crust forms - especially on the chest, head, ear edges, stomach and hind legs. Purulent wounds, eczema and even blood poisoning can be the result.
The sick animals eat little and lose weight, they become weaker and weaker.
Treatment of dogs
Mange in dogs can be treated especially with the active ingredients selamectin and ivermectin. In this case, a veterinarian should control the condition of the dog, because the active ingredients cause side effects.
Selamectin is a highly effective solution against the pathogens of fox manure and well tolerated. It is a prescription. A single treatment is sufficient, with a strong mite infestation but you should repeat it after a few months.
Ivermectin stops the mite infestation immediately. It is available as tablets, as an injection or for application. However, Ivermetic is effective only at high dosages, so use a vet. Many dogs, individuals and breeds can not tolerate it.
Lime Sulfur can be applied with the sponge on the affected areas after the dog previously bathed in benzoyl peroxide shampoo. Caution: Lime Sulfur causes pain to the dog when it gets into the eyes, mouth and ears. Therefore, the dog necessarily wears a protective collar and the treating person gloves. Lime Sulfur is recommended for an advanced infestation.
Home remedies for mange mites
Hydrogen peroxide and Borax are easy to use at home. We dissolve a tablespoon of borax in half a liter of water and add 2 to 3 drops of hydrogen peroxide. The liquid is applied to the inflamed areas of the skin and allowed to dry.
The right diet
A healthy diet strengthens the self-healing of the dog. Alfalfa sprouts and watercress in the feed strengthen the body's defense; Fish oil, vitamin C and vitamin E help the damaged coat to grow and shine.
Duration of treatment
The heavier the infestation, the longer the treatment. A heavy infestation needs at least three Lime Sulfur baths and several months to completely heal. An early-stage mange, for example, when mites haunt a palm-sized area of the breast, usually disappears within a few weeks.
If your dog suffers from severe itching, a mite infestation is close. They almost never see the parasites as they are under the skin. It does not have to be fox manure, other mites are also considered, if they keep reptiles or birds, it can also be diseases of exotic pets. (Dr.Utz Anhalt)