I’m visiting mange again. This video shows a young mother coyote who developed the condition over the summer. The first part of the video was taken in mid-September showing her ragged tail and pocked face. The last part of the video — for comparison — was taken in mid-June when she was still not afflicted.
I’m seeing more cases of the horrible disease here in San Francisco, whereas two years ago I never ever saw it at all here. Mange is caused by a small mite which burrows deep into the skin of canids, where it lays its eggs and multiplies, causing intense itching and unsightly scabbing and hair loss, mostly around the face, ears, legs and tail. It’s a horrible and painful condition.
There are two types of mange apparently: sarcoptic and demodectic, which are caused by different mites. Sarcoptic mange is very contagious and is caused by a roundish, eight-legged mite. Demodectic mange is not contagious and is caused by a cigar-shaped mite which actually all canids carry: their healthy immune systems keep the mite in check naturally. However, when immune systems are weakened, this mite can take over and results in mange. Rat poison is known to weaken immune systems.
Some of the afflicted animals are able to mount an immune response to mange, but many succumb to eventual dehydration and starvation, and secondary infection.
My information about mange (above) comes from the American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/mange-what-you-need-to-know/
A systematic review of the effectiveness of some wildlife treatments can be found here: https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3340-z
CAFW, possibly through a licensed rehabber, can administer a medication known as Bravecto (Fluralaner) in the wild without removing a coyote from its territory or family situation: this medication improves their condition noticeably. A stronger medication is Ivermectin, but this medication requires monitoring, which is difficult in wild animals. If you have questions about a coyote with mange, please contact the folks at @yggdrasilwildlife or @claremont_wildlife_habitat.
Oct 03, 2024 @ 06:19:43
Poor sweetie she must be so uncomfortable:(
Oct 03, 2024 @ 18:34:38
We’ve treated mange in a coyote successfully using Nexgard in my town. We set up a feeding station and, once a routine was established, we put the pill inside a chicken drumstick for her. One dose can work wonders, and two (one month apart) are best. Not only is it highly effective, it is also very difficult to overdose, so even if a smaller animal ingests it by accident they will be fine. Our coyote was in really bad shape (no fur left whatsoever, full of skin lesions) and is now so majestic looking! The progress was slow (about 3 months) but dramatic in the end. More people looking to help wildlife should know about it!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6280674/
Oct 10, 2024 @ 03:43:37
Thank you, Laura! The ingredient (I looked up) is Afoxolaner — I’ll try to find out about it. Appreciatively!! Janet
Nov 05, 2025 @ 16:38:26
Laura, I am trying to help one in our town and he is so bad!! WHen I set up the feeding station the other healthy pack members took it over. He is always on his own although lurks closely…within 200 yards. How did you make sure he got the Bravecto? I have an instant trail cam but by the time I get to it he is always long gone.
Nov 05, 2025 @ 17:17:56
This is Janet (not Laura). The rehabber has to stay and *watch* until the coyote eats the medication. The only way to do this is if the coyote can be isolated. It sounds like your guy is fairly isolated from the other coyotes, so all you can do is keep trying. Don’t give up!!
Nov 06, 2025 @ 22:55:50
Ugh it is just killing me entering another winter with this situation. He is completely without fur. I wish I had some sort of remote dispensing box that I could activate virtually. I won’t quit on him but he should know he is taking years off of my life with this stress
!!!!
Nov 07, 2025 @ 03:03:11
Thanks so much for your persistence and patience. YES, it’s very frustrating. And thank you for not giving up!! That would be the easy way out! Warmly!!! Janet