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THE FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2007
The coyote pup suffers a severe case of mange, which caused most of her fur to fall out. |
Internal and external parasites could have ended the life of a critically ill, orphaned coyote pup. But with the help of The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Southern California, she fought back and survived. The pup was then released into the wild—healthy, strong, and ready to meet her new life.
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About Mange |
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Mange is caused by a microscopic mite that triggers extreme itching and discomfort. Animals infested with this parasite can scratch themselves bloody to relieve the itching. If left untreated, their fur eventually falls out. A contagious disease, mange can be extremely challenging to manage in a wildlife rehabilitation center. |
Summertime Baby
Like every wildlife rehabilitation center in the country, the center's staff was smack in the middle of the summer baby season, nursing orphaned baby coyotes, bobcats, skunks and an array of orphaned raptors, when a local citizen brought in yet another baby, this time a 12-week old female coyote.
The coyote pup was extremely thin and dehydrated, and her whole body was covered in festering sores—indicating she was suffering from a massive infection caused by an advanced case of mange.
Knocking on Death's Door
Additional lab tests on the coyote indicated swollen lymph nodes and a massive internal parasite infestation.
She was literally at death's door.
For the first few days staff stabilized the little pup by giving her intravenous fluids and a bland diet to build up her strength. An animal must be strong enough to tolerate the drugs needed to kill the mange and other parasites, so these treatments must be delayed until the animal is no longer in a critical state.
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THE FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2007
The coyote is now a few months old, recovered from her ailments, has a full coat of fur, and is ready for release. |
Other mammals who have come to the center with an infestation as serious as the little coyote’s hovered between life and death, and often passed away within a day or two, despite ardent efforts to save them. This little girl’s survival was quite uncertain.
Into the Wild
The coyote pup, however, had a tenacious will to live. The fluids and steady influx of foods gave her vital strength. Within just three days of the pup's arrival, the staff was able to begin her on powerful anti-parasitic medications.
While adult wild animals usually do not allow themselves to be approached and handled by humans unless they are critically ill or injured, this pup's treatment was easier because of her youth and frail condition.
Her healing process was slow, and it took several months for her to begin to look like a coyote again. But the pup did recover from the parasites, and when she regained her strength in late October, she returned to the wild, released along with another pup with whom she had bonded.
We hope good fortune will continue to follow her wherever she roams.
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Posted November 27, 2007
