Volume 25 | Issue 3 Article 5

1962 as Pets Elroy C. Jensen State University

Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian Part of the Small or Companion Animal Medicine Commons

Recommended Citation Jensen, Elroy C. (1962) "," Iowa State University Veterinarian: Vol. 25 : Iss. 3 , Article 5. Available at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian/vol25/iss3/5

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Iowa State University Veterinarian by an authorized editor of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SKUNKS AS PETS By Elroy C. Jensen, D.V.M., M.S.*

The is a small, bearing, car­ Skunks do not breed exceptionally well niverous, nocturnal mammal belonging to in captivity, and a conception rate of 66% the weasel family (). It is eas­ in one season is quite satisfactory ( 7). ily recognized by its black and white color Skunks are seasonally polyestrual. In temp­ and noted for its strong scent. There are erate zones they breed from the middle of four species of skunks in North America, February until the middle of March. When only two of these are present in the Mid­ domesticated, the older females breed dur­ west, the and the spotted ing the early part of the season while the skunk. The other two, the hooded and younger are receptive during the latter the hognose skunk, are found in the South­ part of the mating season. A few young west. The striped skunk is the favorite as females do not breed at all during the a pet. first year. It is not necessary to breed in Skunks have become the most popular pairs if one is raising these animals for pet of the wild carnivores because when the market. It is possible to use as many obtained at a very early age, five or six as five females to one male. All may be weeks, they make affectionate and reward­ turned out together during the breeding ing pets. Those raised from domestic season. They will live peaceably together strains appear to make the better pets. until one to two weeks after conception Since skunks are basically a wild animal, when they tend to demand individual iso­ they must be worked with to make satis­ lation. This could result in the older fe­ factory pets. One so young that it must males fighting the male before the younger be fed with a bottle and nipple naturally females are bred. In colony breeding this becomes a good pet. To become a good pet could create quite a problem. Probably the they should not be kept with other skunks best and most certain method is isolated as they must be encouraged to seek the breeding where the males are kept sep­ companionship of their owner. Daily arate and the females are introduced in­ handling is best as some have a tendency diVidually and left overnight if necessary. to become somewhat apprehensive when The gestation period is 62 to 64 days. handled only infrequently. When getting Only one litter is produced each year acquainted with the creature for the first with an average litter being five although time, it is best to wear leather gloves to it may range from four to ten. At birth avoid being severely bitten. the young are called "kits" or kittens. Wild skunks as a rule have short or They are devoid of hair, blind and weigh thin white stripes and little if any white in about one ounce or the size of a full grown the tail. By selective breeding variations mouse. The eyes open in about three in the markings can be obtained. The weeks. The "kits" are completely depend­ most popular markings for the domesti­ ant on their mother for , warmth, and cated skunk are broad white stripes, two protection. Weaning time is about six to and one-half to three and one-half inches seven weeks. At birth the offspring are wide in the adult, and an all white, aris­ black but the white pigment in the skin tocratic tail. They can also be bred so shows exactly how wide the stripes will that the offspring will have white feet and be and whether the tail will be black or white mottlings on their abdomens. white. When adults, they will weigh eight to ten pounds. The male is slightly heavier than its mate. Their life expectancy has * Dr. .Tensen is an Assistant Professor of Veterinary been given as about fifteen years. Medicil1e and Surgery. College of Veterinary Medicine. Iowa State University. Ames. Iowa. Skunks usually make good mothers, but

142 Iowa State UniversitlJ Veterinarian it is advisable not to disturb them any It requires about six ejections before their more than necessary. When the babies glands are completely empty. In spite of arrive the mother will come out of her nest these ejections, the skunk himself rarely and stamp her feet to indicate that she ever gets any of this material on itself doesn't want to be disturbed. If she be­ which must require some careful maneu­ comes overly exited, she may stamp and vering. Skunks may be descented (de­ kill her young in her efforts to protect frosted - disarmed) after they are three them. weeks of age. In my opinion, the ideal After being weaned, skunks may be fed age is around six weeks old as there is still commercial or food supplemented little danger of being sprayed and also with horse meat and raw eggs. Cow's milk because the papillae are not as friable at will cause diarrhea in the skunk (3). They this age as they are when three weeks old. also love bacon which may be given as an The technique I prefer is similar, with only occasional snack. Their diet should be slight modification, to that of Dr. Brad­ high in vitamins A and D so cod liver oil bury (1). is a good additive. Skunks deficient in Vitamins A and D are susceptible to Dcsccnting Technique sprains of the legs and back (6). Baby Instruments needed: No.3 Bard-Parker skunks have an especially high require­ handle, No. 11 blade (the bayonet type), ment. In early fall skunks will have a Allis tissue forceps, curved mosquito for­ voracious appetite in anticipation of hiber­ ceps, rubber gloves (which can be dis­ nation. Incidentally, they do not under go posed), a large glass jar and lid. a true hibernation but during extremely Anethesia and Handling: Place the cold weather may sleep for several days. skunk in a glass container in which has If fed excessively at this time, they may been placed an ether soaked piece of cot­ become very obese and sluggish. This ex­ ton. It has been said that skunks can not cess fat is not easily lost. emit scent when held off the ground by Skunks may be housebroken as easily their tails. This is not exactly true as it as . Do not let them outside unless can "spray" if it is able to curl up and they are fenced in as they have a way of grasp himself with his front feet. Little wandering off. They may be kept in a time should be lost in getting the skunk kitchen or basement and make good mous­ from his cage to the anesthetic jar as this ers. They do not climb like cats or rac­ will lessen the danger of being sprayed. coons but will go up and down stairs. Due Rarely will the skunk spray during the to their small head, harnesses are more time it is in the anesthetic jar. If the ani­ satisfactory than collars if they are to be mal is three months or older, I would sug­ trained to a leash. If a skunk escapes, it gest using Pentobarbital sodium given in­ may be box trapped using a strip of bacon traperitoneally at the rate of 1/5 cc di­ as bait. luted with 4/5 cc distilled water per pound At birth skunks are provided with a of body weight. The animal's weight protective mechanism which is peculiar to should be calculated quite accurately. A its species. The scent glands, located just sack or sheet may be wrapped around the inside the anal sphincter, contain a vola­ animal while it is suspended by its tail tile chemical - a mercaptan containing a during the injection. Surgical anesthesia sort of alcohol-sulfur combination. Us­ should occur in about ten minutes and ually, they do not begin spraying until last for about one hour. around six weeks old although they may Surgical Procedure: It is almost impos­ stamp their feet and elevate their tail long sible to perform this operation aseptically before this. It is interesting to note, that but infection can be reduced to a mini­ a skunk after developing its spraying cap­ mum by using a chemical sterilizing agent abilities can project with accuracy for dis­ such as a quaternary ammonium com­ tances from nine to ten feet. They may pound for the instruments. A small pled­ eject the foul smelling secretion either get of cotton may be dipped into this solu­ from one or both glands simultaneously. tion and applied to the operative site. I

Issue, No.3, 1962-63 143 prefer to have the assistant hold the anes­ easier as there are only a few elastic fibers thetized patient in dorsal recumbency on remaining at its base. These fibers can be a makeshift table of some sort. The surg­ severed with the scalpel (Fig. 4). How­ ery should be performed in the open air ever, one should not become too impatient away from any buildings so that mishaps with the procedure as this is a case where will not necessitate a complete deodoriz­ too much haste can be disasterous. The ing of the hospital. When the rim of the procedure is repeated in a similar manner anal aperature is rolled downward, the on the other gland. reddish colored nipple or papilla is clearly If the patient begins to wake up during visible (Fig. 1). This is exposed by the the operation, it may be necessary to place assistant gently using his thumb and in­ him into the ether chamber once again. dex finger in a downward motion to bring If the assistant is competent, a small the papilla into view. It is at this time amount of ether soaked cotton may be that too much pressure over the gland will placed near the skunk's nose during the cause the material to be ejected. Only operation thus maintaining a satisfactory expose one of the papilla at a time. After anesthetic level during the surgery. For exposure, take a hemostat or an Allis tis­ the protection of the surgeon and assist­ sue forceps (I prefer a rather dull jawed ant, some prefer to do this operation under Allis tissue forceps) and clamp it onto the a plate of glass. This makes the opera­ papilla. Do not lock the forceps as the tion a little bit more tedious but does pro­ tissue is very friable and may be crushed vide some protection against a "direct hit". and the contents expelled. In fact, the Post Operative Care: For two days post­ nipple may be completely torn off and operatively, the diet should be bland in then removal becomes most complicated. nature and reduced in quantity so as to Probably the best method to use under prevent diarrhea and a rectal prolapse such circumstances is to incise over the which might occur if the skunk is placed gland and dissect (lateral to the anus) on full feed follOWing the operation. A the gland free from the surrounding tis­ small amount of an antibiotic ointment sue. Adjacent to the papilla will be a instilled into the surgical site postopera­ small band of tissue consisting of the mu­ tively is usually sufficient treatment since cosa and a muscular layer. This muscular the area heals quite rapidly. Surgical fa­ tissue must be scraped away from the neck talities following this operation may occur of the gland so that only a white mem­ but should be minimal providing care is brane remains which is in reality the wall taken when administering the anesthetic. of the scent gland (Fig. 2). Sometimes Skunks over three months of age are more it is necessary to cut a few of the muscle likely to succumb follOWing this operation strands so that the neck of the gland will than are younger animal. This is prob­ be exposed. Hemorrhage will occur but is ably due to a shock syndrome follOWing easily controlled by the use of a pledget of the operation. cotton or a gauze sponge. If too much of Neutralizing the Skunk Scent: It is a the anal sphincter is cut or its nerves are good idea to discard the scent glands by severed, one can expect an anal prolapse putting them in a airtight container so as but this should not occur if the operation to minimize residual odors in the area is done properly. When the neck has been where surgery was performed. The best completely exposed, then a gentle scraping way to dissipate skunk odor is to apply action is applied to the tissue surrounding tomato juice or ammonia water to the con­ the gland while moderate traction is ap­ taminated equipment. Since this is a vola­ plied to the forceps attached to the papilla tile chemical, boiling clothes or hanging (Fig. 3). Too much traction at this time in the hot sun (in a vacated lot) will help can result in rupture of the gland. As remove the odor in time. Should a dog traction is applied, the scalpel serves only become "sprayed", several rather warm to separate the gland from the adjacent soapy baths will be helpful. tissue. When the greater portion of the Skunks may not be shipped by express gland is exposed, removal becomes much unless they are deodorized. Incidentally,

144 Iowa State University Veterinarian Figure I The rim of the anal aperature has been rolled downward and one of the papillae has been exposed. The opposite papilla is barely visible due to the folds of tissue adjaccnt to the papilla.

Figure 2 The mucosa and muscular layer has been dissected from the duct of the scent gland. This duct may be identified by its whi tish color in con· trast to that of the surrounding reddish colored muscular tis· sue.

ACKNOWLEDG~IENT The author wishes to thank Rogcr T. Brown, a senior veterinary student, for his part in pro· viding the drawn sketches for the article.

Issue, No.3, 1962-63 145 it is a good practice to check with the five wild skunks in . At present state game commission before having a it is not known whether the skunks were wild skunk as a pet as it is against the infected from cattle, or other animals law in many states unless a breeder's per­ or whether they served as a reservoir of mit is obtained. this disease. If it is desired, female skunks may be Enteritis: May be dietary, internal para­ spayed when six months of age. Castra­ sites or bacterial- treat accordingly. tion of the male may be performed at Internal Parasites around the same age. This will prevent Ascaris columaris (roundworm) - An seasonal disturbance in personality which ascarid found in the small intestine. might make them a less desirable pet. Treatment would be similar to that of the Diseases of Skunks cat or dog. Physaloptera maxillans (stomach worm) : In the wild, skunks have be­ - Found attached to the stomach. Can come one of the largest reservoirs for this produce a severe bloody gastritis. Vermi­ disease. One author has suggested that fuges are of doubtful value. they might even be an asymptomatic car­ Hookworms - Whitney (9) reported rier although research along this line is finding this parasite in the skunk on a too scanty to be very conclusive. Semple breeding farm. He did not identify the type, phenolized nerve tissue vaccine is species. recommended. Chick embryo vaccine has Trichinella spiralis Undoubtedly been used in the skunk on an experimental caused by the skunks carniverous nature. basis with good results but the numbers Very difficult to diagnose clinically. No have been too small to establish valid con­ satisfactory treatment. clusions. Canine Distemper: The skunk is very External Parasites susceptible to this disease and dies rap­ Trichodectes Mephitidis (biting louse) idly with an acute septicemic form. A - Is visible macroscopically. Treat with killed vaccine is recommended giving two a flea or louse powder which can be used doses of 1-2 cc each at 14-21 day inter­ on the cat. A bath with a 2 % pine oil vals. The author usually gives this at the solution is also very effective. time of descenting. Dracunculus insignis (Guineau worm) - Found in the subcutaneous tissue. The Feline Enteritis: Many veterinarians female burrows a small opening through give a prophylactic dose of Feline Enteritis the skin and discharges larvae when the Vaccine to the skunk. One investigator host comes in contact with water. There ( 4) stated they are not susceptible to this is an intermediate host. It may be identi­ disease. fied by a small purulent wound in the skin Usually skunks Respiratory Infections: associated with considerable pruritis. The are quite hardy but may develop this con­ worm may readily be removed by probing dition when subjected to sudden changes into the wound. in temperature. The condition usually responds to sulfa drugs or a broad spec­ REFERENCES 1. Bradbury, Ray H.: On Descenting Skunks, Jen­ trum antibiotic (5). Sal Journal, pp. 16-17, Oct., 1952. 2. Cheatum, E. L., and A_ H. Cook: On Occurrence Rectal Prolapse: A common occurrence of the North American Guineau Worm In Mink, due to severe enteritis or following the de­ Otter, Racoon and Skunk in State, Cor­ nell Vet. 38, ~p. 421-423, 1948. scenting operation. Replacement is easy 3. Frick, E. D.: Things worth knowing about skunks, Vet. Med., 56(16), pp. 245-246, 1961. and usually there is no further complica­ 4. Goss, Leonard J.: Species Susceptibility to the Virus of Carre and Feline Enteritis, Amer. Journal tions. Reduce the food intake, giving only Vet. Res. 9, pp. 65-68, 1948. 5. Humes, Charles: Diseases of Skunks, Symposium bland for two to three days. on Health of Small Animals, Chicago. 1959. 6. Humes, Charles: Feeding Skunks, All-Pets Maga­ Lower Jaw Infections: Most frequently zine 14, pp. 14, 16, 1960. found in the adult. The condition re­ 7. Humes, Charles: Breeding Skunks Domestically, All-Pets Magazine, pp. 13-14, March 1963. sponds well to oxytetracycline. 8. Roth, Earl E. and W. V. Adams: Public Health Reports 76(4), pp. 335-340, 1961. Leptospirosis: Roth and Adams (8 ) 9. Whitney, Leon F.: The Complete Book of Home Pet Care, Double Day and Co., Inc., Garden City, have isolated Leptospira canicola from New York, pp. 409.

146 Iowa State University Veterinarian t this stage a Figure 3 A ortion of the greater ~as been ex. gland ntle trac. posed b~ g: scraping tion an . th the scal. motion WI d ct begins pel. If the a u hemostat to tear, laced below mayto avol ~de SPpillage of the glamI contents.

4 When tllC gland Figure b n almost com. has ee • d all that Pletly exrose few elas. • S IS a b remam . These fi ers tic fibers. t with the may be cu scalpel.

Issue, No. 3 , 1962-63 147