You know how much I care about small creatures—especially when nature throws them a curveball. I recently saw a message from someone caring for three foxes with mange in their garage. She’d ordered the remedy from the National Fox Welfare Society (NFWS) and was waiting to see if it would help. That got me thinking: this story needs to be shared on our blog—a heartfelt tale with practical, reliable insights to support anyone else stepping up for their wild friends.
What’s Happening with Mange—and Why It Matters
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Sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite that burrows under the fox’s skin, leading to intense itching, hair loss, open wounds and secondary infections. If left untreated, many foxes don’t survive more than four months NFWS.
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The skin problem usually starts around the tail and rear end, then spreads—often causing foxes to scratch so much they hold a back leg off the ground NFWS.
How the NFWS Potion Works—and What the Science Says
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The NFWS has been sending out a free homeopathic potion for over 30 years. It consists of arsenicum & sulphur (with “psorinum” as a booster), delivered in 20ml bottles (though currently supplied in 30ml jars filled to 20ml) NFWS+1.
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They routinely send hundreds of packs each month, and have distributed over 9,000–12,000 packs annually in recent years NFWS.
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Several wildlife sources support using this remedy for mild to moderate mange—safely added to nightly food for three weeks or so The Fox Projecthelpwildlife.co.uk.
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But—and this is important—there’s no clinical evidence that homeopathic remedies are more effective than a placebo. Still, many reports and letters shared on NFWS and other sites claim visible improvements in fox condition Wildlife Online.
What This Means for Your Fox Family
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Mild mange? Try the NFWS remedy—safely added to food every night.
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Foxes are wild, often distrustful. The convenience of a few drops in food is effective—and safe for other wildlife The Fox Project.
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Severe mange? Veterinary treatment is likely needed.
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If a fox has crusting, widespread hair loss, oozing eyes or more than ~40% of its body affected, the remedy may not suffice helpwildlife.co.ukThe Fox Project.
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Licensed treatments like NexGard, Bravecto, or prescription acaricides (e.g., selamectin/Stronghold, ivermectin) may work—but must be carefully targeted and administered only to the fox—not to pets or other animals Fox GuardiansWildlife Online.
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Safe versus risky interventions.
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Don’t feed ivermectin-laced treats freely—that’s illegal and dangerous. It can harm non-target animals, such as dogs sensitive to ivermectin, and isn’t an approved wild-treatment method Dane County Humane SocietyWildlife Online.
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Supportive care is vital.
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Mange foxes often lose 15–33% of their body weight and suffer malnourishment Wildlife Online.
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Nutrient-rich food and supplements like salmon oil (rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids) can boost immune response, support skin recovery, and improve coat condition CUDDLY Blog.
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Keep fresh water available—dehydrated foxes may drink excessively NFWS.
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Wildlife rescue as a last resort.
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If a fox’s condition worsens, contacting a local wildlife rescue for safe trapping and veterinary care may be essential—even though catching and hospitalisation can be stressful and risk territory loss Fox Guardianshelpwildlife.co.ukThe Fox Project.
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Your Action Plan (Just Like I Told That Caring Friend)
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Order 2–3 bottles of the NFWS potion, especially if you’re caring for multiple foxes—that gives you enough stock to treat each nightly dose consistently.
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Feed high-quality, nutritious food nightly, with added salmon oil to support coat, skin and overall health.
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Observe closely over three weeks: look for patch regrowth, smoother skin, improved weight, and more alert behaviour.
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If the foxes aren’t improving, especially if wounds worsen or hair loss increases, contact a wildlife rescue to explore veterinary treatment.
Why This Matters—and Why I Love Sharing It
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It’s hopeful without being naive. There’s no silver bullet—but there are steps grounded in compassion, commonsense care and real-world practice.
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It’s community-driven. Individuals feeding foxes with NFWS support, caring folk researching and sharing advice, and rescues offering professional help—all make a difference.
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It aligns with our mission. At Guinea Gourmet Treats, we believe in using thoughtful, research-informed solutions—whether that’s for guinea pigs or wild foxes. Natural ingredients, meaningful care, and pushing to be more helpful—that’s what lights me up.
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