A fox without a bushy tail?

[Paul mabbott]

I may as well join in!
Is this a mangy fox?

Is there any other reason why her rear might go this way? Why does it mainly affect the back end?

[aeshna5]

Paul, it certainly looks like the early stage of mange to me.

[mbaldw]

I'd agree, it looks to me like there's some hyperkeratosis forming on the rump as the fur's being lost.

Cheers,
Marc.

[zerowhite]

I found a website that gives out treatment for mangy foxes, the National Fox Welfare Society. It's free of charge, though they welcome donations.

Fox Mange Treatment- Sarcoptic Mange- Canine Mange- Mangy Fox

Poor creatures.

[mbaldw]

Why does it mainly affect the back end?

I've often wondered that. It may start at the back end because this is a key 'social area' for foxes; they often sniff each other's supracaudal gland (situated at the top of the tail just down from the root). Similarly, they may pick mites up by sitting in an area where an infected fox has laid. Once on the rump, it usually moves to the head first (presumably transferred as the animal grooms the affected area) and then spreads across the rest of the body.

Some more info (and later today, your photo) on my site.

Cheers,
Marc.

[Paul mabbott]

Thanks, very interesting site - one of the few that explains that death is due to bacteria rather than directly to the mite!
This fox isn't in my area but I've seen quite a few around there over the years, mostly vixens, and always with this degree of mange - never on their face or elsewhere and never without .... handed down from mother to daughter perhaps? Wonder why I don't see worse infected/infested ones?

Originally Posted by mbaldw

I've often wondered that. It may start at the back end because this is a key 'social area' for foxes; they often sniff each other's supracaudal gland (situated at the top of the tail just down from the root). Similarly, they may pick mites up by sitting in an area where an infected fox has laid. Once on the rump, it usually moves to the head first (presumably transferred as the animal grooms the affected area) and then spreads across the rest of the body.

Some more info (and later today, your photo) on my site.

Cheers,
Marc.

[mbaldw]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

handed down from mother to daughter perhaps? Wonder why I don't see worse infected/infested ones?

Very likely a maternal transfer - if the mother has mange she will almost invariably give the mites to her cubs. If the infection is low-level it may never develop beyond a bit of 'crustyness', although in most cases it spreads like wildfire. I suspect most die underground, or under sheds etc., so probably go largely unnoticed.

Cheers,
Marc.