Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

sam aldridge — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 20:51:18 GMT

We had a fitting skunk come in OOH once, spraying was inevitable. You could smell the practice down the road, we had to dispose of the rubber top of the table and occasionally 6 months down the line you catch an odd whiff...and we scrubbed every corner with everything from Trigene to tomato ketchup. There really is nothing like it

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:45:32 GMT

oops - should be 0.2mg/kg medetomidine plus the midaz and bupre as above.

I don't tend to gas anything down - either by mask or chamber unless an absolute last resort due to the discomfort/stress. As you mention, a side effect of a very stressed skunk is a stunk out clinic!

I have used pre-op metacam without problem, the UK skunk websites are as reliable as the other cat/dog websites entitled 'metacam kills' ore equivalent! There is no physiological reason whatsoever that they should respond differently to other carnivores so I use 0.2mg/kg routinely.

Marie

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Simon Felger — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 10:16:26 GMT

Hi Marie,

I am lucky enough to be performing a castrate in a Skunk next week and have had conflicting advice on what GA protocol to use - could you help please?

You mention "With skunks I use 0.2mg/kg, midazolam 0.25mg/kg and buprenorpine 0.3mg/kg, this usually gets them deep enough to intubate" but I'm confused what 0.2mg/kg related to - is that Ketamine?

When I phoned him John Chitty suggested gassing down with Iso in a chamber (best done outside just in case...) which sounds easier although the main thing for me is avoiding stress for him and the ensuing anal gland Armageddon! Do you have experience in gassing down?

I also understand that pre and post op Metacam is used by many but have also come across US Skunk websites that say it can kill. Could you reassure me on that as well?

Many thanks

Simon

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:36:41 GMT

[quote user="zoe north"]

By the way how bad is the smell? Because some anal glands can be really offensive.

[/quote]

It will be about six months before the smell totally goes away. Utter words simply don't do skunks justice. If an anal gland is the flare that a match gives off when you strike it, a skunk is a GPS guided cruise missile launched by an aircraft.

In fact, if the skunk 'goes off' you'll wish you HAD a cruise missile handy to level the place. When the pin gets pulled, Mr. Grenade is NOT your friend.

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Mark Rowland — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:50:13 GMT

Hi. I'm not aware of any documented cases of hyperadrenocorticism in skunks. Goodluck

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

zoe north — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:48:05 GMT

Thank you both for your prompt and comprehensive replies, I am quite looking forward to seeing "Lucifier" on Tuesday - they did say he was well behaved! I was slightly worried about the prospect of trying to get the smell of skunk scent glands out of the nurses uniforms. By the way how bad is the smell? Because some anal glands can be really offensive.

Good to know that that Baylisascaris is something we are unlikely to meet on tuesday, the zoonotic aspect was worrying given its neurological implications.

Lucifier's owner also has a female skunk, they want neutered. Is there risk of HAC as in ferrets? So would an Suprelorin implant be preferable? and if so how long would one last?

Also my nurse would like to know do Skunks dislike clean soapy smells?, as we were told "by a ferret owner" many years ago that ferrets prefer a more unwashed hand.

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:01:14 GMT

Hi,

prescrotal is easiest - the procedure is very similar to a dog castrate and with small wounds, intradermal sutures and appropriate pain relief (I use 0.4mg/kg meloxicam sid for 5d post-op) they leave wounds alone.

With skunks I use 0.2mg/kg, midazolam 0.25mg/kg and buprenorpine 0.3mg/kg, this usually gets them deep enough to intubate (tubed like a cat, helps to use lidocaine topically prior to tubing). Reverse with equal volume atipamazole.

Due to the known risk of canine distemper we routinely vaccinate with canine vaccines to cover this but not for feline parvo. I ask them to wait 15mins after vaccine in case of adverse reactions but have had none and we see a lot of skunks. We boost every 2yrs.

Re: handling, don't pin them, let them move during exam and if they start stomping back off while they relax again. Most are well-behaved but if in doubt have the owner hold them while you do your exam.

Baylisascaris is a North american issue following transmission from wild raccoons or skunks. Have yet to see any introduction to the UK. I recommend routine worming from a human health perspective as they can carry Toxocara. Milbemax is what I use and have had no reactions.

Marie

Re: Skunk Castration and Vaccs

Mark Rowland — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:31:40 GMT

[quote user="zoe north"]

Hi, I never thought my 1st post would be about skunks!

We have a 4.5 month old skunk booked in for castration next Tuesday, 1st skunk i will have met for ages and the first castration. So a couple of questions for those in the know.

I've read the bsava manual regarding skunks and the authors seem to indicate they should be treated as a ferret regarding medications and suitable doses. What is best in people's experience? I understand prescrotal castration using sub cut sutures and tissue glue is a good idea.[/quote]

Sounds Good to Me

[quote user="zoe north"]Now, vaccinations confliciting advice on that regarding what they require i.e. canine distemper, adenovirus plus lepto plus feline panleucopenia. Rang MSD they said London Zoo have used nobivac dhp and vaccinated once a year. Whats the risk of vaccine induced disease? will obviously discuss same with owners.[/quote]

Nobivac DHP should be fine, shouldnt induce disease

[quote user="zoe north"]Also how do you make a skunk relaxed enough while handling not to get sprayed? I've checked its well handled and friendly. Have told O (who did ask if i could remove its scent glands) NO - its illegal for one, and if you have upset it that much its only trying to defend its self. Get a cat instead. Looks like they do an interesting pre warning dance, but apparently have a very accurate aim.[/quote]

They rarely spray, most are very relaxed and well handled.

[quote user="zoe north"]I do have Marks App - v useful.

Do all skunks come pre loaded with Baylisascaris columnaris - sounds nasty. It has been wormed with panacur in the past.[/quote]

I would base worming on a faecal examination to assess need