Mange is an infectious disease that causes hair loss, and can cause death in affected mammals. Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious disease caused by very small external parasites called mites. These mites burrow into hair follicles and cause an allergic skin response and irritation, which can result in hair loss. As the skin is damaged from mechanical activity of the mite and hair falls out, skin becomes broken and secondary bacterial infections occur. These bacterial infections lead to weepy or crusted skin.
Death usually occurs as a result of exposure to extreme cold temperatures.
Mites are spread when infected canids have direct physical contact with others. According to DNR wildlife health specialist Kerry Beheler, coyote and red fox populations statewide have been affected by sarcoptic mange mortality in winter 2000-2001. Smaller canids, such as the red fox, are more seriously affected by a mange infection than larger canids, such as the wolf. Transmitters on three of Wisconsin s radio-collared wolves were found to be transmitting mortality signals on Feb. 14, indicating that these wolves were probably dead. The wolf bodies were retrieved on Feb. 14 and 15.