How do you handle a skunk caught in a live trap????

[g8rvet]

Interesting topic - I can add some information. There is no true 'carrier' state for Rabies virus - there can be very long incubation states (up to and beyond 6 months) but the virus is almost always fatal, especially once it reaches the brain. The number of animals tested isn't a 'true' indication of the prevalence in the population as only abnormal animals are tested (i.e ones submitted for a reason - bit someone, found acting abnormally, trapped, etc.) Skunk, fox, raccoon and bat are the primary species/strains circulating in North America, but cats are an up and coming species of note. Mainly because many cat owners do not vaccinate. Yes, I am a vet and now I am addicted to chickens!

 

[Lbrad7]

Quote:
Awesome, welcome aboard!

We were told by the CDC that we had 7 days before it could incubate in us and if we didn't get the vaccinations by that 7th day we could be looking at being infected by the virus and after that point it would most certainly be fatal. Were they trying to be super conservative or is that an accurate timeline in humans?

 

[woodmort]

Please understand as a mathematician I know how easy it is to lie with statistics and how data can be skewed so I'm skeptical. I'd be more inclined to think that 80% of those skunks, raccoons, etc that wander around during the day and end up in people's backyards are infected since they are tested. Whether that is true of the general population, I'm not too sure. Although I have a friend who makes sure his coon dog is vaccinated yearly for rabies.

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
I'd be interest to know where you're getting your statistics since rabies is fatal that would pretty much eliminate the skunk population. It isn't working around here--it is increasing since they are no longer a valuable fur bearing species.

I can tell you his facts are exactly right, at least in North Georgia. The rabid skunks and coons have had over 80% infection rate and I found that out from personal experience. We trapped a coon and a few days later found its kits in the yard. Mom was already dispatched so we tried to find a home for the one kit that was still alive.

We have an animal rescue center here but its accross the line in TN. They reluctantly took the baby in but had to report it to the state and since we lived in GA both TN and GA health depts were notified. My youngest daughter had mentioned that she had let the kit suck on her finger and within two days we had state health depts from TN and GA and the CDC in Atlanta ringing our phones off the hook and local ASPCA banging on the door. They had sent the kits head to the lab in Nashville to be tested and warned us that if the results didn't come back within another day, we would all have to get our rounds of Rabies vaccinations. It is some serious stuff...they told us that exact figure that the chickenwhisperer gave you of 80 percent and higher infection rate and said that they were actually dropping vaccination bait blocks into the wild to try and bring that number down but werent having much success. Soooooooooo long story short..the Whisperer is dead on at least according the Tennessee and Georgia departments of health.

Better safe than sorry....dont even handle the dead unless its with a shovel.

James

I handle them all the time year round, I use rubber gloves the only things I worry about is brain tissue, fluid from the brain area and saliva .

 

[CMV]

Quote:
FALSE
Actually, the smell of another skunk is the best bait for a skunk trap.

I'd like to see where you got your information from because I do not believe you are correct.

 

[g8rvet]

Quote:
Thanks for the welcome!

That is a combination of conservative, going with the statistics and adding in the fact that to my knowledge humans are the only species we will 'treat' with post-exposure protocols - most other species are a watch-and-wait approach for clinical signs. The virus typically does move pretty quickly depending on where the bite is located (i.e. a bite to your neck doesn't have to travel so far to get to the brain vs. a big toe bite). Though rabies vaccine (expect for high risk individuals) isn't a normal vaccine given to people - but it is for most pets and some farm animals (horses). Once vaccinated, even if your titer is low - re-vaccination induces a fairly quick (anamnestic) response.

I just warn the kids to stay away from anything not acting normally - and a skunk out in the middle of the day is abnormal.

That all being said - we have a skunk family in the wood pile and 25 three week old chicks that I am in the process of moving outside - they are spending their first night in the coop tonight. Will see how they do. I have been smelling the skunk for a few nights now and the 'dad' is pretty big.... ick.

 

[Lbrad7]

Good luck with that family of skunks. I would be looking to trap them out before they did any damage to my birds. From my experiences...if they are living that close you are going to have trouble.

 

[Rooster#3]

Quote:
FALSE
Actually, the smell of another skunk is the best bait for a skunk trap.

I'd like to see where you got your information from because I do not believe you are correct.

i have noticed that if i set three of the same traps with the same amount of bait skunks always go in the trap that has been sprayed




btw i caught a skunk in a trap yesterday and yoused the method i already said and it worked PERFECT

 

[aprophet]

Rooster#3 :

Quote:
I'd like to see where you got your information from because I do not believe you are correct.

i have noticed that if i set three of the same traps with the same amount of bait skunks always go in the trap that has been sprayed




btw i caught a skunk in a trap yesterday and yoused the method i already said and it worked PERFECT​

This works with black bears the same way 3 different bait piles and the one with the skunk is the winner and I thought fox and yotes were the only stupid for skunk animals.

 

[manolito]

I win the lottery about four times a year. We have four hives of bees and the skunks love to tip them over and rob the hive not so much for the honey but the larva.

The occasional hen or chicks missing fall to any number of local residents. One you wouldn't think of is magpies.

I take precautions when harvesting game picking up ground squirrels and cleaning farm raised animals I butcher. It seems to me to protect against blood born pathogens and other naturally occurring diseases is easier than the medical route the bills and the inconvenience. Not very hard to glove up and wear a pair of glasses.

Dr. if I am off base please correct me this is how I learn. I am 67 I raise sheep and cattle along with chickens and turkeys. Knock on wood I have not made a trip for diseases. Now I lost a finger in a squeeze broke several bones and walk with a decided limp all as a result of farm raised animals. Actually that was only part of a finger but it is to short to pick my nose.

Our State does not allow relocation you either release immediately or dispatch immediately. Eight sheep to a lion two years ago so some predation is going to happen if you live in the middle of no where. I work very hard at not having a visit from Mr. Green Jeans on the ranch.

Safety is my advice then again a lot of you are smarter and luckier than I am. Keep safe and enjoy the animals.