Zero rabies cases in Ballston Spa, experts say mange is treatable

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BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Officials in Ballston Spa warned residents about rabid foxes, after a police officer shot and killed one they believed had rabies. However, an animal control officer said there are zero confirmed cases of rabies in the village. Experts share wildlife tips.

Rehabilitation groups spoke out against the misinformation and advocate for their involvement in the decision-making process. 

Heart of the Wild Rescue, in Warrensburg, specializes in rehabilitating foxes. Owner Paula Sheridan said looks can be deceiving. If you see a scraggly looking fox, it likely has mange and does not need to be put down. She said there’s a simple, one-time treatment.

We first introduced you to Sheridan after a sickly looking fox, named Wilma, was treated for mange and released back into the wild.

Sheridan is a New York State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and said long before Ballston Spa warned residents of a rabid fox, there had been longstanding misconceptions about what a rabid fox looks like.

“Actually a fox with mange looks, on the outside, sicker than a fox that could be rabid,” said Sheridan.

Although they may look more dangerous, Sheridan said mange is treatable. She described why you may see a fox with mange in broad daylight.

“It’s going to be sunning itself and that’s why people see them more often. They can’t regulate their body temperature, so they’re looking for anything warm to lay on and be close to,” said Sheridan.

She spoke at the village meeting on Monday night and wanted to educate officials. She said the animals can and should be tested at the DEC Wildlife Health Unit in Delmar, (108 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY, 12054 Telephone: (518) 478-2203 Email: wildlifehealth@dec.ny.gov).

“The state wants to know if there’s rabid animals out. They want to know these facts. And I’m sure the public would feel at ease knowing this fox was negative, or even knowing it was positive, having the actual facts. Not the potential of what could have been,” said Sheridan.

She described the rabies signs to look out for, including excessive salivation, paralyzed (back end), stumbling or circling, the animal having seizures and the animal acting aggressive or friendly.

Experts advise staying away from wild animals and want you to contact the right authorities, calling DEC, an animal control officer, or other certified experts, so they can determine the next best course of action. 

A wildlife expert can set a non-lethal trap, then determine if it’s mange or something more serious. If it’s mange, all it takes is one tablet of Bravecto and the treatment lasts three months.

“You know, to go through the right people, you can get a better result and the animal can be better, you know…They don’t have a voice, so we’re their voice. Victoria, myself, we love foxes. We’re here to help anyone that has any kind of questions or needs anything regarding them,” said Sheridan.

You can find a list of certified rehabilitators on the DEC website. 

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Carina Dominguez

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