Fox Fur

[Judge101]

Whilst walking my dog today i noticed a few mounds of fox fur ( i presume it was fox fur)a good handfull in both places laying on the grass , seems a very strange time of year to molt? so wondered if it was caused by mange and whisked my dog away sharpish is it a common sight? , mostly looked like fur from the tail (brush) , can anyone tell me more?

[Dogghound]

Its possible it was from a fight or breeding (which will be starting to happen). How sure are you that it was fox fur? and not from someones dog? Foxes moult in spring so it wont be from that. As you say mange is a possibility but I doubt your dog would catch it from loose fur its caused by a mite and would need direct contact with the fox.

[wildliferescuer]

I would think a fight is the most likely cause. Mange mites can live away from their host for a period of time which is generally how dogs catch it, from walking where foxes have previously been. More likely something (another fox or a dog) has made a grab at the fox & ended up pulling out some fur.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

generally how dogs catch it, from walking where foxes have previously been.

Interesting ive never herd of it being spread like this in an indirect way.

[wildliferescuer]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Interesting ive never herd of it being spread like this in an indirect way.

Sarcoptes mange mites can live for several days away from the host animal, although I doubt it would be that long in the cold weather we are having at the moment.

[Dogghound]

No i know they can live away from the host, its just the living on clumps of fur and being transmitted to dogs walking where the fox has been that Ive not herd of before. I always assumed and read it was foxes and dogs coming into direct contact. But i presume its perfectly reasonable that if a clump of fur had mites on its a possibility, although they usually live under the skin.

[wildliferescuer]

They do live under the skin, you're right, but there is always a large number of mites 'above ground' as it were.
When we get foxes or hedgehogs in with mange you can always see thousands of mites in less hairy places on the animal. They look just like dust on the surface, but look under a microscope & it's horrific!!!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by wildliferescuer

They look just like dust on the surface, but look under a microscope & it's horrific!!!

I can imagen they are quite a problem for you in the rescue service. Im happy to say ive never seen it in the foxes I watch. Touch wood it will remain that way.

[wildliferescuer]

There's lots of it about in foxes at the moment. We are getting at least one a week in, some of them are in a terrible state. Unusual for it to be so widespread in the winter.
I do feel for the more animals - I've caught it 3 times from them now & it's horrible! Wouldn't wish it on anyone!

[Judge101]

ty guys , the park is closed through the night so it must be from breeding/fighting amongst themselves , these are huge clumps of fur which i really could'nt mistake for anything else other then fox fur , ive seen it alot and will take a piccy tomorrow just to make sure.Thought it would be more of a common sight to be honest. no sign of blood just good quality thick fur from the tail.