Morbidity—mortality Factors and Survival of an Urban Coyote Population in Arizona

Abstract

The health of coyotes (Canis latrans) in urban areas has not been studied. Our objectives were to assess the health of coyotes in Tucson (Arizona, USA) by determining the prevalence of antibodies to selected pathogens, estimating survival rates, and identifying sources of mortality. We drew blood from 22 coyotes to evaluate the prevalence of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigens, and antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV), infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), canine parvovirus (CPV), and seven serovars of Leptospira interrogans. We trapped and radiocollared 19 coyotes to determine survival rates. We performed necropsies on 19 coyotes to quantify their general health, the presence of internal and external parasites, and causes of mortality. No coyotes tested positive for heartworm antigens. The prevalence of antibody to CDV, ICH, and CPV was 27, 50, and 100%, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of coyotes tested positive for one of five serovars of L. interrogans. The diseases for which coyotes in Tucson possessed antibodies appear to be enzootic in the population. The annual survival rate of coyotes was 0.72. Eleven necropsied coyotes were killed by cars, five coyotes were hit by cars, two were killed by a trapper, and the cause of death for one coyote was unknown. Coyotes in Tucson appear to be exposed to the viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections common in many coyote populations, but humans are the major source of mortality.

Serologic Survey for Canine Infectious Diseases among Sympatric Swift Foxes (Vulpes velox) and Coyotes (Canis latrans) in Southeastern Colorado

“…McCue and O'Farrell (1988) reported CDV antibodies in 0-14% of the kit foxes sampled in California. We found that levels of CDV antibodies increased with age among both species, similar to results among coyotes in Texas (Guo et al, 1986), Wyoming (Gese et al, 1997), Arizona (Grinder and Krausman, 2001), and Utah (Arjo et al, 2003). The higher prevalence of CDV antibodies in adults may be a result of adults being more likely to survive exposure or adults having a longer exposure period to the virus and developing a persisting titer (Gorham, 1966;Green et al, 1984).…”

“…The prevalence of CPV antibodies among San Joaquin kit foxes (V. macrotis mutica), a close relative of the swift fox (Mercure et al, 1993), ranged 67-100% in California (McCue and O'Farrell, 1988). The prevalence of CPV antibodies in coyotes from other western states (Arizona, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming) was generally Ͼ70% (Thomas et al, 1984;Gese et al, 1997;Grinder and Krausman, 2001;Arjo et al, 2003). A high prevalence of antibodies is associated with a highly contagious, but nonfatal, infection, because prevalence is measured among survivors (Thomas et al, 1984).…”

“…The higher prevalence of CDV antibodies in adults may be a result of adults being more likely to survive exposure or adults having a longer exposure period to the virus and developing a persisting titer (Gorham, 1966;Green et al, 1984). Among coyote populations sampled in western states, the prevalence of CDV antibodies was 23-76% (Trainer and Knowlton, 1968;Guo et al, 1986;Williams et al, 1988;Gese et al, 1997;Grinder and Krausman, 2001;Arjo et al, 2003).…”

Parasitology, Virology, and Serology of Free-Ranging Coyotes (Canis latrans) from Central Georgia, USA

“…Similarly, Holzman et al (1992), Gese et al (1997), and Grinder and Krausman (2001) found 64, 100, and 100%, respectively, of coyotes antibodypositive for CPV but did not investigate shedding. Miller et al (2009) did not test for antibodies but found one in 36 coyotes from South Carolina to be shedding parvovirus particles on electron microscopic examination of feces.…”

Serologic Survey for Antibodies to Canine Distemper Virus in Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu) Populations in Arizona

“…In Arizona 25% prevalence of CDV antibody was reported in foxes (Vulpes spp.) and 27% in coyotes (Canis latrans) (Miller et al, 2000;Grinder and Krausman, 2001).…”