The Main Shelter and Thrift Store are closing at 4:00 pm Friday, March 24, for a special event. Adoption visits are first-come, first-served. We recommend checking our current waitlist prior to your visit. Most other services are by appointment only, including reuniting lost animals, surrendering a pet, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.

Nov 27, 2018

Join us for a Closer Look in our Wildlife Center

SHARE:

Follow our Wildlife Rehabilitators as they examine a unique case.

In mid-October, an Animal Services officer brought this female adult eastern cottontail rabbit to Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center. She was thin with crust on her face and front legs. Our experienced Wildlife Center staff took a skin scraping and examined it under a microscope to determine she was suffering from sarcoptic mange, more commonly seen in larger mammals like foxes and coyotes. These parasitic mites burrow just beneath the surface of the skin, causing severe itching and hair loss. Often these animals will suffer secondary complications such as skin infections.

Over 650 sick, injured or orphaned wild rabbits have come to our Wildlife Center so far in 2018, but mange is rare to see in this species – she was our first balding bunny.

Fortunately, mange is a treatable condition, and this bunny is looking better already after several weeks in our care. We treat mange with multiple doses of a topical anti-parasitic, along with other treatments and medications as needed to address their secondary complications. We typically have mange patients in our care for several months. During their stay, rabbits eat large amounts of timothy hay and fresh greens, amounting to at least two times their body size every day!

Once we began treatment, the crust on her face and front legs fell off and left bald patches of skin. During her recheck exam, we were looking for hair growth in each of these areas and an increase in weight. She had short hair growing in but it was not long enough to keep her head warm in winter temperatures. We also did a skin scrape to see if there are any mites remaining after her treatment, or if she was mange-free.

Sarah Karls, a DCHS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, completed this rabbit’s recheck exam and was able to examine her skin scrape under a microscope. The skin scrape was negative – no more mites! Once her coat finishes coming in this rabbit will be able to return to the wild!

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into DCHS's Wildlife Center, and we want to thank you for your support of Dane County Humane Society! Your generosity supports the care of animals like this rabbit. Please consider making a gift today to help us continue this lifesaving work for Wisconsin wildlife and meet our largest matching gift challenge ever of $30,000!

Thank you for your patience! Due to all the wonderful generosity this Giving Tuesday, our donation form below may take a minute or two to load.

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Partners with Program to Offer New Rehoming Service

DCHS partners with Home To Home™ to offer a rehoming service for pet guardians looking for permanent and temporary homes for their animals.

Full Story

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Teams with BISSELL, Other Groups to Transfer More Animals

As animal adoptions slow down across the country, DCHS steps up to help.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Bunny Dates Help Pet Rabbits Get Closer

Rabbits need a number of bunny dates to help them become bonded. We discuss some rules to follow to help make the process a success.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Something to Chew On: Dental Health for Pets

Oral care is vital to our pets’ overall health, which is why DCHS is fortunate to have a dental suite. Learn why you should be concerned and get tips to help your pet maintain good dental hygiene.

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Behind the Numbers: Wildlife Center's 2022 Annual Report Data

What animals were admitted to DCHS's Wildlife Center for rehabilitation in 2022? How many of what species, and could we find any trends? See details of our recent annual wildlife reports!

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Bald Eagle Boom: Setting Intake Records in 2022

A record number of bald eagles came in to DCHS's Wildlife Center in 2022. How many eagles were admitted and for what reasons? The answers and numbers below may surprise you.

Full Story