An adult Eastern Coyote is brought in that is missing a lot of fur and has sores all over its body. It smells really bad. Which of the following treatable conditions might it have that would cause these symptoms?

• A. Rabies
• B. Distemper
• C. Newcastle disease
• D. Sarcoptic mange

Answer: (D)

Malnutrition and skin infection due to a parasitic mite infection fits these signs best. Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcopes scabiei, leads to intense itching, patchy to widespread hair loss, crusting sores, and a foul odor from secondary bacterial infections. In a rehab setting this is a treatable condition because the mites can be killed with antiparasitic medications (such as ivermectin, milbemycin, or moxidectin) and the skin can heal with appropriate wound care and antibiotics if needed.

Rabies would present with neurological changes and behavior problems rather than widespread skin lesions and odor, and there’s no treatment for rabies. Distemper is a systemic viral disease with respiratory, ocular, or nervous signs and is not something you treat successfully in wildlife rehab. Newcastle disease affects birds, not mammals, so it wouldn’t be a consideration for a coyote.