Local neighbors in the Shawnee Hills area created quite a stir when reports flooded our phones recently reporting a “thin, weak and scruffy” looking red fox. Located just north of Dublin and across the Scioto River from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the Village of Shawnee Hills– a small village edging the borders of suburban and rural with a population of 729 as of 2014. Concerned residents alerted Ohio Wildlife Center of the situation on numerous occasions. After nearly a month of calls, even staff sightings, our rescue team successfully captured the sick fox and brought him to our Wildlife Hospital.
After his initial veterinary exam and a skin scrape test, it was confirmed the fox had Sarcoptic mange and could be treated and nursed back to health. Did you know – Ohio Wildlife Center is the only wildlife rehabilitation center in the region with trained veterinarians and vet techs on-site?
Sarcoptic mange is a skin disease caused by an infection with Sarcoptic scabiei mites. These small mites cannot be seen with the naked eye but can cause an inflammatory allergic reaction when female mites burrow under the skin to lay their eggs. The fox’s immune system may become compromised by the infection so internal parasites may begin to absorb the nutrients the fox needs to survive. Luckily, the Shawnee Hills fox was brought in for treatment before the infection could take a turn for the worse and result in organ failure and starvation.
In 2016, Ohio Wildlife Center treated 5 red foxes in our hospital for issues ranging from mange to head trauma. Fox are a difficult species to treat because of their specific dietary needs as well as special training needed for handlers to work with a rabies-vector species.
The Shawnee Hills fox was treated with a topical medication and given supplemental care throughout his month and a half stay at our free wildlife hospital. After much healing and preparation, the fox was ready to go back home to the wild, mange-free and well rested. He was released in the same location that he was found to easily locate his den and readjust to his natural environment. When the door to the travel crate was opened, he was ready. He shot out like a rocket– the very picture of health and rejuvenation! Successful moments such as these bring the hard work that our veterinary technicians, volunteers and administrative staff do every single day to fruition. Bridging the gap between our local communities and Ohio Wildlife Center is also an integral part of this success story. We thank the Shawnee Hills residents for their concern and dedication to our wild neighbors.
