WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A SICK SKUNK?
Skunks, like most wild animals, carry a lot of diseases and disease agents like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and worms. Most times, they are just carriers, and these agents do not make them sick, but there are times when they do fall ill.
Skunks are nocturnal animals, and so when people see a skunk that is active in the daytime, they usually conclude that it is a rabid skunk. Sometimes, this is untrue, and this article will guide you to understand the symptoms of a sick skunk.
Symptoms
Some symptoms that will help you tell when a skunk is sick includes:
Odor
You usually recognize a skunk’s presence by the odor it gives off, which is pungent and sticks to your body when you approach the skunk. When you perceive a variant of the skunk’s usual odor, you may be dealing with a sick skunk and should act promptly. You can further gauge their health using their alertness, body condition, or appearance and their activity as guides. A skunk is usually shy and steers clear of people, so one that wants to attack immediately when you come close is likely sick or rabid.
Movement Problems
If the skunk’s gait is uncoordinated and unsteady, or when it is abnormally slow and does not run when you approach it, the skunk may be sick. You may notice that it is dragging one of its feet behind it or having tremors as it moves, this is a telltale sign of illness. Some diseases that cause difficult movements in a skunk are associated with nervous, skeletal conditions, or injuries on the paws and broken bones.
Fur and Skin Condition
The skunk may have an external parasite infestation, and parasites like ticks and fleas may irritate the skunk. You will observe split hairs and rough fur, on sites like the stomach that do not have fur, you will likely see inflammatory signs that may include swelling, redness, and tenderness.
Dental Problems
Skunks can also have dental problems; a skunk with dental issues will have soft and swollen gums that will bleed at any given time. Their teeth will have discolorations, they will have difficulty in chewing and grinding food, and most times, they tend to stay away from food and feeding.
Weight Loss
The skunk may look cachectic and emaciated. You can judge this by checking for prominent rib bones, sunken eyes, and dry skin.
You should stay away from a sick skunk and avoid spooking it. The obvious signs of an ill skunk should alert you, but you should never engage the skunk if it shows signs of aggressive behaviors. You can call the local vet or any wildlife service around you and inform them about the skunk; they will be in a better position to help the skunk. You should remember that your safety always comes first and make sure that you protect yourself before trying to contain any weird acting skunk. You should also keep your kids and pets away from an aggressive skunk because it might be rabid.
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