**** Info via Hope for Wildlife
A month ago, this young porcupine was found in the snow – barely moving
She was suffering from mange, and she had crusts all over her face and belly. Her eyes were completely crusted shut from it. After a month of treatment, you can see her mange is all gone and her face and belly are healing well! By the time spring comes and she’s ready for release, she will have grown up and all of the warm fur on her face and stomach will have returned.
Sarcoptic mange is skin disease caused by a tiny mite that burrows deep into the skin, which causes inflammation, severe itching, a thickening and crusting of the skin, and hair loss. Severe infestations can be fatal in the wild due to infection, dehydration and impaired thermoregulation. Porcupines are usually always on the move, so if you have one in your area that seems to be hanging around, some mange signs you can look for
are:
– Crusting on body, abdomen, or face
– Staying hunched and not moving when approached
– Laying on its side
– Approaching people with no fear
– Stumbling around and/or falling over
If you suspect a porcupine of having mange, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation centre.
