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JENSEN/FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2007
Eyes still closed, this pup drinks formula created for orphaned infant canines. |
Coyotes are native to Southern California and share the fate of other species whose homeland is increasingly being usurped by people for housing, shopping, entertainment and civic venues. The inevitable conflicts often result in injuries or even death to wildlife. The fortunate ones can be treated at The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center. A delicate blend of medical care, rehabilitation, and minimal human contact maintains their wild nature and natural distrust.
The First of the Pups: Orphaned Coyote Suffers from Mange and a Fracture
In 2006 the center was especially busy with more than 20 injured or orphaned coyote pups admitted for injuries. Of these, five pups in particular seemed to need more than their share of care. Admitted on four different dates, all but two were unrelated.
An approximately 10 week old orphaned pup arrived in June in very sorry shape. The emaciated five pound pup was covered in mange, a sometimes painful but always irritable skin condition caused by microscopic, burrowing mites. Mange often affects puppies, and advanced stages can cause almost complete hair loss. This infected puppy was almost completely hairless due to the mange. He also had a fracture in his left front leg. Combined with malnutrition and dehydration, he needed immediate medical intervention.
His mangy skin was treated with multiple applications of medicated baths and antibiotics. Veterinarian Dr. Don Wood surgically inserted a pin in the left leg to allow the bone to heal properly and give the youngster a chance at a full recovery.
Two and Three: Illegally trapped for a life of fighting
Two pups who had been live trapped by illegal immigrants and were being trained as "fighting dogs" were confiscated by the California Department of Fish and Game and brought to us in mid-July. These babies were scared out of their minds by the time they got to the center. They had spent their ten weeks of life jammed into tiny rabbit hutches. Both were covered in their own body waste, malnourished, and the smaller of the two pups had a severe case of mange. Fortunately they were still too young and inexperienced to have endured an actual fight, but due to their extended human contact, it was questionable whether or not these two youngsters would be releasable back to the wild.
Four and Five: Coyote Pups Victims of Automobile Collision and Illness
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JENSEN/FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2007
One of the five coyote pups who were rehabilitated together. |
The fourth pup came in early August after having been found wandering a busy street aimlessly, a sign that a wild animal is in serious distress. The initial veterinary examination revealed a case of mange and additional skin ailments caused by other external parasites: a severe, upper respiratory infection, malnourishment and dehydration. The puppy's skin was cleaned up and treated for all parasites with medicated baths and a dose of a powerful antibiotic. He was given fluids intravenously.
Pup number five came in near the end of August. She had been hit by a car and was suffering from a fractured front leg, lacerations on most of her body, abrasions, and mange. Her wounds were cleaned to prevent further infection and a dose of antibiotics was given to fight the internal parasites. Intravenous fluids helped hydrate her and flush the toxins out. Dr. Wood surgically stabilized her fracture with a pin.
One at a time, the five ill, injured, and orphaned pups made it through their quarantine periods, finished antibiotics, recovered from all ailments and injuries, and by the end of September, they were all together in a large rehabilitation enclosure. The pups remained wild, grew strong and healthy, and by the end of October all five were released together— ready to face the world as healthy, wild, beautiful young coyotes.
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Posted February 5, 2007
