Although able to live in the house with humans such as cats or dogs, skunk pets are relatively rare, partly because of the restrictive law and the complexity of their care. Pet skunk is mainly kept in the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Italy.
In the United States, pet skunk can be purchased from licensed animal shelters, nonprofit bribery education organizations such as the American Domestic Skunk Association, Inc., or farmers with permission from the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Health Inspection Service. Peak availability of baby skunk during spring, immediately after skunk married season. Some large feather farms sell surplus skunks to pet stores.
Skunk is probably best known for its ability to spray foul-smelling substances as a defense against predators. Most wild skunks only spray when injured or attacked, as a defense mechanism. The emitting mercendan-emitting glands are usually discarded in pet skunks at about four weeks of age. Since 2006, this removal practice has been illegal in the UK.
Video Skunks as pets
History
Skunk is a Native American and was first recorded in Christopher Columbus's historical record. Skunk is reportedly kept as a pet by some Native American countries. Farmers value pet skis because of their ability to kill rodents and other pests. Skunk pelts are also used for coats and are often removed as feather marten. Before the 1950s, they were sold with ambiguous names like "American sable" and "Alotable sable". The court finally ruled that the customer should be informed of any purchase that contains skunk parts. The skunk market then collapsed. Since then, the skunk has been raised as a pet.
In the 20th century, most US states banned the protection of wild animals as part of their efforts to stop the spread of rabies. Only about a third of the states continue to allow domestic skunk. In the 1990s, skunk fans began to form mailing lists and were set to reform skunk laws. In the 2000s, similar initiatives took place in Canada.
Maps Skunks as pets
Temperament
Skunk is a sensitive, intelligent animal, and like all intelligent animals, temperaments vary with each individual. Skunk tends to be very curious and will open the unlocked cabinets. Some owners have noticed a skunk that smells of something that spills on the old carpet, and tries to dig to find out what is buried there. As ferrets, their curiosity can bring them into danger, especially if they crawl in chairs or other machines.
Skunk Care
Handling skunk
To play with baby pet skunk, it is possible to kneel down and happily touch the floor with the fingers of one hand, while moving the hand toward the skunk. They quickly get the idea, and will respond with some sort of cat care and get off on their forelegs. However, as they move, they will stare straight into your eyes, aiming, with their tail held high, their powerful "weapons" directly in your eyes simultaneously. (They do the same thing in the wild when threatened: skunk babies are trained in this way by their mothers.)
It's better to avoid playing rough with a baby skunk, or they can be aggressive and uncooperative as they get older. Empty hands can be used for loving and hugging skunks, but toy dolls or hand puppets should be used while playing with them because of their very sharp teeth and long fangs.
Just like all animals, beating or hitting skunks is not recommended, because it will cause them to become vengeful or embarrassed hands. Discipline must be in tone and volume. A spray of water from a spray bottle can help.
Diet
Skunk requires more variety of food than most pets. They tend to have a voracious appetite, making obesity a common problem. It is important not to give them overeating. Some foods, such as chocolate, are known to be harmful to almost all animals.
The topic of what to eat skunk is very controversial, according to Owners of Pet Skunks. Mary Kaye Ashley's Book, Comprehensive Guidelines for Generating Pet Skunk, recommends a 50 percent ratio of vegetables, 40 percent Skunkie Delight, and 10 percent of whole foods. Skunkie Delight is a homemade mixture of cooked wheat (millet, oats, barley, or brown rice), raw turkey, eggs, vegetable oil, and various vitamin and mineral powders.
Skunk Jane Bone items describe the diet of vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, vitamins and minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, and eggs. Skunk Haven does not agree with this diet, and recommend their own sample diet. Skunk expert Mary Kaye Ashley, and American Domestic Skunk Association, Inc. also disagree with this diet.
Eugie and Matthew Foster have tried a lacto-ovum vegetarian diet with good results, with rice and beans with yogurt, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs and freshcakes for protein needs, and including nutritional yeast, cold safflower oil, and various supplements vitamins (including taurine and D 3 ) in addition to vegetables and fruits.
Lynnda Butler, president of Florida Skunks as Pets, believes that small amounts of sugar can benefit skunks and recommend an eighth graham cracker or vanilla wafer a day. Other people (eg Skunk Haven) avoid eating skunk sugars altogether, citing the risk of diabetes. Skunk expert Mary Kaye Ashley, as well as the American Domestic Skunk Association, also strongly disagree with the provision of processed sugar products of any kind. As per Ms Ashley, natural sugars (such as small amounts of fruit) can be included in the diet several times a week as long as skunks do not suffer from hypoglycemia or diabetes. The choice of diet ultimately depends on the skunk owner.
Skunks generally do not drink much water, but clean water should always be available.
Veterinary care
Skunk babies from pet stores generally have no medical treatment other than the removal of odor glands, and will require sterilization or sterilization, fire, and worms. They need to be tested for coccidia and other protozoa as well as parasites. Skunk also must undergo regular annual checks. Dr Frank Krupka and Skunk Haven have developed a blood panel to show whether supplements or changes in the diet are needed, and recommend blood panels as part of an annual checkup.
An understanding of animal skunk is somewhat limited, as scientists have not done much research on skunks as they do in more common pets. Skunk does not always respond to drugs in the same way as a cat or dog. As a result, there is disagreement about how best to treat them. Some veterinarians say they are related to hamsters and treat them like that. However, the hamster comes from the Rodent sequence while Skunks is in the Mephitidae family of the Carnivora order. This is the same sequence as cats, dogs, and weasels.
There are several different pet skal organizations providing conflicting advice on skunk care. Especially in the medical field, it is wise to consult multiple sources rather than relying on a single source of information from the Internet.
- Spay/castrate
Men should be castrated between 3 and 4 months of age. Women should be sterilized between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
- Vaccinations
Most skunk organizations recommend Purevax Distemper and Rabies vaccinations. Only distemper is proven to cause disease or disease in skunks. Other vaccinations made for dogs and cats are a direct modification of vaccinations and can cause actual disease in skunks.
- Declawing
Skunk should not be revoked, because they use their claws to handle food. Instead, their claws should be pruned occasionally. Skunk has a claw "excavation" like a dog, not claws clasped like a cat.
- Worm Round
Many skunks die from roundworms. Baylisascaris columnaris is a species that attacks the most common skunks. Baylisascaris eggs can remain in the environment for years, despite hot or frozen weather or certain hard chemicals.
Skunk can be filled with roundworms for several weeks before eggs begin to be shed in the feces. It is common for new skunks to have roundworms, which may be too early in progression to be detected by a fecal test. Skunk experts agree that all new skunks need to be treated for roundworms, and more than one treatment is required. Diagnostic parasitologist Matt Bolek recommends that "A worm eradication program should probably start at 7-8 weeks and deworm every two weeks for 3-4 treatments".
The frequency with which an adult needs to be treated for a controversial wristband:
- Skunk Haven as well as skipper Mary Kaye Ashley and ADSA, Inc. recommend: "After the first series of worms, you have to worm every 4-6 months".
- Pet Skunks Owner recommends "over the counter worm medication administered every few months and annual veterinary sample checks at the veterinarian".
- Skunk Jane Bone experts recommend that all skunks be stoned once a month. But this information is outdated and no longer believed to be the best method to control parasites in skunks. Worms should be done as needed and not routinely because certain parasites and worms become resistant to dewormer.
The consensus is that Evict or Nemex 2 is a good over-the-counter worm for skunks. A vet may have a stronger worm. Safe natural alternatives include seeds from cantaloupe, fig juice or cloves, according to Jane Bone.
General considerations
Overall, treating skunks is more complicated and challenging than maintaining other pets due to their relative inequality. The difficulty of finding a veterinarian with skunk-taking experience, conflicting advice offered by different pet skunk organizations, and the scarcity of scientific knowledge about the physiological alacrity make it necessary for many skunk owners to struggle on their own. In addition, some skunks - especially those who are persecuted - may bite, refuse to use sandboxes, or exhibit other negative behaviors, according to Jane Bone and Skunk Haven.
According to James Furniss, a good skunk owner needs to be the person you can choose and willing to make many efforts. However, there is a relocation option if the pet's skunk does not work, including a skunk shelter.
Rabies
Skunk and other mammals can contract rabies by being bitten by an infected animal or eating infected animal carcasses. Though rare enough for pet skunk to get rabies, there are many unfortunate cases where an uninfected skunk bites a person, and then euthanized by an animal control personnel so that the brain cells can be tested for rabies.
In the United States, there is no government-approved rabies vaccine or quarantine period for skunks. In Canada, Imrab 3 is used in studies for off-label use as a skunk rabies vaccine and has so far been disapproved for skunk use. If skunks bite or bite, and owners can produce vaccination evidence, a 2-week quarantine is required, according to Vivianne Chernoff of Skunks as Pets Canada.
Many countries, such as Japan, require all newly imported skunk to be quarantined. In 2003, The Guardian reported that Britain did not have quarantine shelters to hold skunks.
Legality
United Kingdom
It is currently legal to keep skunks as pets in the UK without a license.
With the exception of guards who intend to place skunks in property owned by their local authorities and therefore may be required to ask for permission, there is no limit on the ability of people to keep skunks as domestic pets in the UK.
In the UK, the practice of removing healthy aroma glands is considered unethical by the regulatory body responsible for veterinary education and clinical standards. Since the introduction of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act (England and Wales) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006 (Scotland), it is a violation to carry out procedures involving the removal of scunks' glands except for the purpose of medical care. This does not prevent skunks becoming more popular as pets in the UK, according to reports in a number of national newspapers. In April 2007, The Daily Mail reported that skunks became increasingly popular pets, with farmers estimating that about 2,000 skunks are being placed as domestic pets.
Canada
Skunk of Canadian pets must be purchased from USDA certified farmers in the United States. Import permission is required from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to bring skunk into the country. The skunk must be neutered or castrated, and receive microchip implants or tattoos. Veterinary check fees should also be paid. It is illegal to keep a striped skunk as a pet in Canada.
Polish
Polish law regards skunks as normal pets, such as cats and dogs. There are no special rules and there is no requirement to register a skunk. There are several breeders from whom skunks are available. Prices vary from about EUR150 to EUR400, (600-1600 Polish zloty).
United States
American law of skunk ownership differs significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most countries forbid keeping skunks as pets.
American skunk merchants generate more than $ 500 a year for skunk trade regulated by the US Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), which has established three classes of licensed skunk dealers. A class A license allows one to breed skunk; Class B licenses allow a person to sell a skunk; and Class C licenses allow one to show it publicly.
Skunk rules may change from time to time, so prospective skunk owners may want to check with the Fish and Game Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in their country.
Politics
Some activists look for legalized skunk pet in the jurisdiction where they are currently banned. Their activities include supporting the bill and testifying before the legislative panel.
In 2001, Del George W. Owings III introduced a bill in the Maryland legislature to legalize pet skis in the state. Officials spoke out against the move before the Environmental Matters committee. Mike Slattery, testifying on behalf of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, criticized the idea, saying it would encourage "Bambi syndrome", a tendency to tame wild animals. State health officials pointed out that the bill, HB 91, required rabies vaccination when no federal vaccine was approved for skunks.
Rabies has in fact been a key issue in the legislative debates associated with skunks. Because wild skunks are responsible for the second largest number of rabies cases in wildlife in the US, many legislators are reluctant to allow domestic skunk without the right vaccine on the market. In addition to state-level issues, federal organizations set policies to deal with accidental scuff bits, which currently require animal euthanasia so that rabies tests can be performed.
In February 1990, a rabies vaccine called Imrab 3 was approved for ferrets. Many skunk advocates believe that this vaccine will also be effective for skunks, and encourage being tested for this use. They also support clinical trials to determine the appropriate quarantine/observation period in the case of skunk bites. This will give you a way to test your skunk without the need for euthanasia. According to Aspen Skunk Rabies Research, part of the reason why this research has not been done is the high cost of these clinical trials, which would be difficult for drug companies to shut down.
In early 2000, People for Domestic Skunks collected more than 4,000 signatures for the National Domestic Skunk Petition. According to Aspen Skunk Rabies Research, Inc., the effectiveness of petitions is limited by the fact that many important decisions are made by national organizations. The National Association of State Public Veterinary Veterinary Rabies Compendium sets out a procedure for what to do if a skunk bites a person.
In Canada, Mike Freeman of Exotic Freudian Skots was ordered in 1999 by the Ontario Natural Resources Ministry to destroy the entire stock of 100 adults and 700 skunk babies. Although the agency had approved its farm in 1997, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1998 was prohibited from breeding. Minister of Natural Resources John Snobelen finally gave him six months to sell or deliver the animals in the US, saying, "Nobody wants to see these animals numb and that need not happen."
Skunks as the Canadian Pet leader Vivianne Chernoff and other activists later persuaded the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to legalize the import of skunk captive. Although the NRC does not recognize CFIA laws, the CFIA assures Chernoff that the NRC can not seize micro-chipped skunks whose legality is documented with imported papers and health certificates. In 2004, Canadian activists were working on a test of rabid ducts that were passed to skunks.
In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1987 recommended the removal of elective skunk busting glands that were classified as unacceptable procedures: Disposal of the rectal sac as a result of fear or other stress is normal, and the removal of a normally functioning sac is not a procedure which is acceptable. Infection or other pathological conditions may cause recurrent or chronic discharge or in fistulas and sinus formation. Removal under such circumstances is an acceptable therapeutic act. Anal bags are sometimes removed from animals like skunks and foxes to make them more acceptable as pets. The Workers Party does not accept that this is an ethical procedure and considers that the anal pouch should not be removed for other therapeutic reasons.
Organization
A pet skunk organization can be a useful source of advice for skunk owners. Some organizations also hold annual skunk events. Gifts are given in categories like Prettiest Tail, Friendliest, Most Talented, etc.
The American Domestic Skunk Association provides the following services to all skunk owners, prospective owners, and interested parties:
- Education for Skunk Owners & amp; Public Public
- 24 Hours & amp; Web Support
- Skunk Kitten Adoption
- Rescue, Rehabilitation & amp; Adoption
- Skunk & amp; Events
- Newsletter & amp; Skunk Care Guide
- Research Program
Owner Pet Skunks is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of skunks raised. OOPS holds an annual picnic and publishes a quarterly bulletin containing informative articles on skunks, human interest stories, puzzles, information on skunk-related laws, and regional and national events.
Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, Shelter, and Education, Inc. is based in Ohio and provides the following services:
- For emergencies, staff are on call 24/7 by phone and/or over the Internet.
- An international network of people helping to save. Teach new owners about their diet, health, and skunk behavior. Also help prospective owners to determine whether a skunk is a decent pet to customize their lifestyle phone or email, and also through our Yahoo skunk list, SkunkInfo.
- The shelters have Federal USDA/APHIS and State permission to receive the abandoned skunk pets into shade and to adopt nationally. Also, this permission allows SkunkHaven to conduct exhibits and educational programs.
- Skunk Haven will provide free Skunk Care flyers to public or private sources on request.
- Skunk Haven has set blood normals for skunks and has collective data currently being performed by a licensed veterinarian.
- Skunk Haven also maintains a regularly updated list of legal statuses.
- The homebase from Skunk Haven, in North Ridgeville, OH, is home to SkunkFest. SkunkFest is held annually on the second Saturday in September. This organization has newsletters called SkunkNews and Yahoo discussion lists.
- Homebase is also licensed for the rehabilitation/release of wild skunks.
Skunks as Pets has branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Canada, and Germany.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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