To Gale Putt
>Sarcoptic mange has stricken our large fox population.  Almost every sick
>or injured fox coming in also has sarcoptic mange....  Do domestic ferrets
>get this type of mange easily?  Is there something that can be given to
>them propylactically ...
 
Ferrets appear to be fairly resistant to sarcoptic mange.  I have only seen
one case of sarcoptic mange, and this was in an immunosuppressed animal.
Demodectic mange is more common in ferrets.
 
Foxes, ont he other hand, are extremely susceptible to mange.  It's not just
a problem in your area, but in many areas of the country.  And with foxes
encroaching on more and more suburban areas where they come in contact with
dogs, the problem continues to spread.
 
Regarding prophylaxis, there is none.  But ferrets do respond well to
ivermectin should they need it - but don't administer it prophylactically.
Ther is no spray for clothing - simply use good sense - change your clothing
after treating the foxes - and treat the foxes last.  Sarcoptic mange is not
very transmissible on clothing.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP
Dept. of Vet Path, AFIP
[log in to unmask]  OR
Chief Pathologist, AccuPath
[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1412]