panic mode!

[coonhoundmama87]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this but I need some comforting words of wisdom please! I'll sum it up best I can. Went out to do chores with my dogs as always today. They suddenly start barking. They come back to me chasing a fox! They corner it. I eventually get them away from it but it wasn't easy. It smelled terrible. It didn't look good but I've seen worse. So basically I'm freaking it they'll get mange. I washed them both with flea shampoo. Called emergency vets who were no help. Finally get my vet once they opened. Talked to a tech who said they discussed it and she said they'd have to have prolonged contact with it to really contract it. So my mind was calmed greatly but I'm kind of neurotic and can't shut off my worry. Neither got hurt thank God but mange is scary to me. I'm scared of fleas, bad childhood experiences. So if I could get some kind words to help me thru this I'd much appreciate it. Please be kind to me. I'm don't wanna say I don't want the truth but I pretty much just need to hear it'll be ok, idk what I'd do if they aren't ok. They're like my babies. They didn't know any better. I haven't even brought them in the house which makes me feel horrid. But I've got cats in the house too so I'm worried about them. I think I'm rambling now lol. Thanks in advance for being kind and understanding

 

[thomasboyle]

When you live out in the country, your dogs will get in tangles with the local wildlife. Sounds like you took precautions with the flea shampoo. I'd be thankful it wasn't a skunk!

One night last summer my wife let our 15 lb schipperke out to do business, and she ran straight to the 30" high chain link fence and was snarling like she was going to rip something to pieces. My wife pointed the flashlight at the dog, and saw she was nose to nose with a 400+ lb black bear, with only the chain link fence separating the two. Luckily the bear was more scared of seeing my wife close by than having a late night snack, and he turned and ran back into the woods.

 

[coonhoundmama87]

Oh they've both been skunked before lol. I'm pretty good at dealing with that now I can't imagine seeing a bear that close by, I'd probably pee myself! I wish I wasn't such a worrier, it's no fun. Thanks for your kind words tho, it really does help!

 

[bobbi-j]

You called your vet. They advised you, now you have to trust them. If you weren't going to trust them, why would you call in the first place? Keep an eye on the dogs, take them in if something appears off. I believe mange can be treated, but your vet said that won't be a problem anyway since there was no prolonged contact. Now take a deep breath, calm yourself, and tell your dogs what a good job they did getting rid of the mangy fox! Did they kill it, or is the poor thing still alive to come stalk your chickens again? If it's still alive, are you able to put it down or find someone who can?

 

[roosterhavoc]

I wouldn't worry about it. Mange gets passed from animal to animal because they live in such close proximity to each other like in dens. I know dogs can get it but your coonhounds fur is nothing like a fox and is no where near as susceptible to mange especially from that little bit of contact. Relax

 

[roosterhavoc]

You do need to kill that fox though and when you do put it in a garbage bag and bury it so other critters don't come into contact with it and spread it even more around where you live. It will die from it eventually if it doesn't freeze to death in the winter.

 

[coonhoundmama87]

Thanks everyone. I sadly didn't kill it. My husband didn't reload the shotgun after he used it the other day so I only had 2 shots. **** it. I may have hit it but it didn't drop. I don't think it'll be back after this tho. Sadly will probably find the neighbors. But I'm on high alert now either way. It's this crap cold weather here in Wisconsin, bringing everything out for easy food. **** stressful day I tell ya but it can only get better.

 

[sourland]

The chances of your dogs contracting mange from that limited contact is absolutely minimal. Mange is readily treatable if by some bizarre, unlikely fluke they did become infected. Absolutely, kill and bury the fox!

 

[tridentk9]

I'd worry more about making sure their rabies shots are current!

Healthy adult dogs very very rarely catch sarcoptic mange from such minimal contact. A healthy immune system is a wondrous thing.You can also use Revolution drops for the next few months, it works on sarcoptes. Or talk to your vet about a higher dose of ivermectin than that used for heartworm prevention. NOT recommended for "white footed herding breeds" or their mixes. A few other breeds, ie silken windhounds. If you go the ivermectin route I'd recommend an mdr1 test first from Washington State University. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/test.aspx

 

[coonhoundmama87]

Both healthy and utd. I've heard of revolution before but didnt know it did so much. They just got their frontline today so I'd probably have to wait on that anyways. But thank you so so much for the advice!!

All of you will probably never know how much you've truly helped. I haven't been on this site in quite sometime but its the best animal community I know of!!