They are also vulnerable to several diseases and severe devastation can and does occur when populations are high enough for easy transmission. Mange and parvo enteritis are two of the most serious fox diseases. Mange is caused by mites which tunnel into the fox's skin, causing irritation and loss of fur. Infections occur as a result of the growing eggs and excrement in the the skin, and caking or crusting occurs particularly around the eyes and nose of the infected fox. Nearly naked tails are observed in mange infested fox, and it appears that nearly all foxes infected with mange die slow and painful deaths.
Parvo is a virus that appears to be a mutation of feline distemper.
It is probably spread by contact between infected individuals, and symptoms include fever, diarrhea and nervous disorders. Juvenile animals appear to have less resistance to this disease. 12 years of age is considered old for a red fox. Webmaster Tom Williams. All rights reserved.