Coyotes carries the greatest number of illnesses and parasites

Due to its extensive range and varied food, the coyote probably carries the greatest number of illnesses and parasites among big North American carnivores. Rabies, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, four forms of equine encephalitis, and oral papillomatosis are among the viral illnesses that have been documented to affect coyotes. Coyotes can get the bacterial illness tularemia, which can be fatal to pups, via tick bites as well as from their rodent and lagomorph food.

Both demodectic and sarcoptic mange, the latter of which is more typical, can affect coyotes. Coyotes seldom have lice infestations, but they do have fleas from the time they are puppies, which may be more of an annoyance than a severe health risk. The most frequent species to infest coyotes is Pulex simulans, but Ctenocephalides canis tend to only be found in areas where coyotes and dogs coexist. In particular, Nanophyetus Salmincola, which can cause 90 percent fatal salmon poisoning sickness, still has a devastating impact on coyotes.