Wildlife Walk Fundraiser!
Please join us for our annual Wildlife Walk!
Sunday, October 1
11am-3pm
The Seminary – Retreat & Conference Center
440 West Neck Road Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743
Meet our animal ambassadors & learn about Long Island’s wildlife!
Open to all ages – pizza, drinks, & ice cream served.
Patient Spotlight
Fox Kit Recovers from Mange
Red Foxes, commonly found all over Long Island, come to our rehabilitation Hospital in desperate need of help from a terrible condition known as sarcoptic mange. Caused by the Sarcoptes scabies mite, this highly-contagious skin disease is actually quite common in Red Foxes. These microscopic mites burrow through skin and cause intense itching and irritation. The scratching that results from the mites causes the animal’s fur to fall out. The infected animal becomes weaker over time and usually develops other issues such as dehydration, malnutrition, and secondary infections. Untreated animals are unable to recover on their own.
This young fox kit was brought to our Hospital for help for a severe case of mange. In addition to the parasitic infection, the fox was suffering from emaciation and severely dehydrated. He required intensive supportive care including subcutaneous fluid therapy and a carefully monitored nutritious diet with vitamin supplements. Treatment for the mange included several doses of anti-parasitic medication administered on the skin between the fox’s shoulder blades. During treatment, the fox needed to the quarantined from all other patients to prevent the spread of the disease.
As time went on, we watched our fox patient get stronger every day. His reddish-brown coat was starting to regrow along with a bushy tail. His eyes became brighter and more pronounced. He was gaining weight consistently and would stand up and fiercely growl as we approached! After a few months of rehabilitation, this beautiful fox had fully recovered and we had the honor of returning him back to the wild.
