Content warning: Some images show the effects of severe mange. We understand these images can be hard to see, but we feel it’s important not to soften the serious impact mange has on wildlife.
Esther the coyote was first seen limping through a Peoria neighborhood, her back leg badly broken and much of her body covered in thick scabs where fur should have been. She showed the classic signs of mange. It was clear she had been struggling for quite some time and needed help.
Mange is a highly contagious disease of mammals caused by mites. Sarcoptic mange is caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei, and when an animal’s immune system is weakened, as it was for Esther, the mites can take over, and the disease quickly spreads.
Rodent poison also plays a role in the equation. While it doesn’t cause mange directly, it weakens the immune system, leaving animals vulnerable to infestations they might otherwise survive. Since these poisons travel up the food chain, they can harm other predators who rely on rodents for food. Poison set out to protect a single yard doesn’t stay there. It ripples outward, weakening the very predators who naturally keep ecosystems in balance.
When Esther arrived at SWCC, she was in terrible shape. She was malnourished, dehydrated, and covered in painful lesions. Her weakened body could no longer keep the mites in check, and mange took hold. Untreated, the disease causes relentless itching, hair loss, and painful skin sores that can lead to infection and can even be fatal. It’s utterly heartbreaking to see animals suffering in this way.
Sweet Esther is slowly but surely healing. The photo on the left shows her condition when she first arrived, and the photo on the right shows her more recent progress. She’s healing wonderfully, though she still has a long road ahead. She’s eating and drinking well now, her lesions are healing, her fur is slowly but surely growing back, and she’s getting feistier, which is great. We’ve watched her personality emerge and have fallen in love along the way. She’s such a sweet girl!
We’re so grateful she made it to us. Her back left leg was unfortunately too damaged to save and had to be amputated, which means she will remain here as a permanent sanctuary resident. She’s safe now, and with continued care, she’ll have everything she needs for the rest of her life.
If you’d like to help animals like Esther, consider sharing her story with your family, friends, and community, or make a donation to help us continue to care for every animal who comes through our doors. Every bit truly does make a difference.
February, 2026