Many countries, such as Japan, require all newly imported skunks to be quarantined. [23] In 2003, The Guardian reported that there are no quarantine kennels in the UK that are approved for skunks. [24] Permits are required to import legal pets listed in section 4-71-6.5 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules. These animals are subject to quarantine rules before being legally distributed to their owners. Skunks can be infested with roundworms for several weeks before the eggs are excreted in the stool. It is common for new skunks to have roundworms, which may be too early in development to be detected by fecal testing. Skunk experts agree that all new skunks should be treated against roundworms, and more than one treatment is needed. Diagnostic parasitologist Matt Bolek recommends that ”a deworming program should probably begin at 7 to 8 weeks of age and be dewormed every two weeks for 3 to 4 treatments.” [18] Canadian residents and skunk owners wishing to move to Canada must apply to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Provincial and Municipal Animal Division for requirements for the importation and possession of skunks. Lynnda Butler, president of Florida Skunks as Pets, believes a small amount of sugar can be beneficial for skunks and recommends one-eighth of a graham cracker or vanilla waffle a day. Others (e.B. Skunk Haven) avoid feeding skunks processed sugar, citing the risk of diabetes. Mary Kaye Ashley, a skunk expert, and the American Domestic Skunk Association also disagree with feeding any form of processed sugar products.
According to Ashley, natural sugars (such as a small amount of fruit) can be included in the diet several times a week, as long as the skunk doesn`t suffer from hypoglycemia or diabetes. It is best to avoid playing roughly with baby skunks, otherwise they can become aggressive and uncooperative as they age. Bare hands can be used to love and cuddle the skunk, but a stuffed animal or hand puppet should be used to play with them, as they have sharp teeth and extremely long fangs. [6] Skunks originated in America and are mentioned for the first time in the historical accounts of Christopher Columbus. Skunks are believed to have been kept as pets by some Native American nations. [1] Farmers valued domesticated skunks for their ability to kill rodents and other pests. Skunk skins were also used for coats and were often presented as marten fur. Before the 1950s, they were sold under ambiguous names such as ”American Sable” and ”Alaskan Sable”. [2] The courts eventually decided that the customer must be informed of any purchase containing skunk parts. The Skunk fur market then collapsed. Since then, skunks have mainly been bred as pets or as animals in the exhibition.
Like all pets, skunks must be sterilized or sterilized from the age of four months to avoid aggression. It is also a common preventive measure that pet owners can take to reduce the risk of hormonal cancers. Removal of the scent glands can be carried out at the same time, although this often occurs at an even younger age, while the skunks are still with the breeder. Skunks should also be vaccinated and dewormed against common diseases of dogs and cats such as distemper. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend the smooth running of vaccinations. Pet skunk organizations can be a source of useful tips for skunk owners. Some organizations also hold annual skunk shows. Prizes are awarded in categories such as The prettiest tail, the friendliest, the most talented, etc. Baby skunks in the pet store have usually not received any medical treatment other than the removal of the odor glands and require castration or sterilization, injections and deworming. They should be tested for coccidia and other protozoa, as well as parasites.
Skunks must also undergo regular annual examinations. Dr. Frank Krupka and Skunk Haven have developed a blood panel to show if supplements or dietary changes are needed, and recommend a blood panel as part of an annual exam. [17] Many states require permits to own skunks. Always respect the laws of your state. If born and raised in captivity, skunks can be friendly, intelligent and unique pets. They can learn to feel comfortable when handled by people, and they can be very playful and cuddly. Native to North America, skunks are known for their scent glands, which can spray foul-smelling chemicals on predators. But captive-bred skunks usually have these glands surgically removed. This is a controversial procedure because some people believe it removes a necessary defense mechanism that a skunk would need if it ever stood out on the outside or was attacked in some other way. For this reason, it is important to keep a skunk indoors or strictly monitored outdoors at all times.
Finding a veterinarian who can take care of your pet should be a top priority. Do you have or know a veterinarian in your area who is ready and knowledgeable to take care of your skunk? In addition, their employees should be vaccinated against rabies and know how to deal with a skunk to minimize the likelihood that they will be bitten during skunk treatment. Having a veterinarian who knows about skunks is important and can make the difference between a happy and healthy skunk and a skunk that doesn`t thrive as well. It is best to have a competent veterinarian who is willing to correspond with other qualified veterinarians on acceptable treatment methods. The metabolism and needs of the skunk are different from other pets they are used to treating. Trying to treat them like a dog, cat or even a ferret could harm the well-being and life of your skunk. Make an appointment to meet with the veterinarian in person, ask how long they have been processing skunks and how many skunks can be seen in their practice. Also ask the question ”What is your policy if my skunk bites you or an employee?” If the answer is that the bite is reported, go immediately and look for another veterinarian. This could make the difference between life and death for your skunk. As you can see, there`s really no reason why domesticated skunks shouldn`t be legal as pets. As long as they are domesticated and not wild, it shouldn`t hurt to own one. In most states where they are legal, a permit is required.
The same rules should apply in California. Let`s own skunks! Indiana does not explicitly prohibit having pets as pets. Although they can live indoors with humans similar to cats or dogs, skunks are relatively rare, in part due to restrictive laws and the complexity of their care. Skunks are mainly preserved in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Italy. Many skunks died of roundworms. Baylisascaris columnaris is the species that most frequently affects skunks. Baylisascaris eggs can remain viable in the environment for many years despite hot or icy weather or some harsh chemicals. Currently, it is illegal to keep skunks as pets in Australia and New Zealand. It is currently legal to keep skunks as pets in the UK without a licence.
Therefore, your skunk should be placed in a well-closed habitat if it lives outside. They should never be let out of their enclosed habitat as they could quickly run away and attract the attention of neighborhood dogs. .
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