Skunk Advice

[RSKY]

I never tried to reuse a trap. Shot them in the trap and dumped trap and carcass on the old farm.

When the one sprayed under the house I had to go back in to get my keys and wallet. I held my breath and had my nose pinched shut but I could TASTE the smell before I got out. I cannot imagine being sprayed by one.

RSKY

 

[oosik]

Well - whether you like or hate skunks we best remember like bats, raccoons & dogs - skunks can carry and transmit rabies.

 

[dodge man]

Throw a bag of opened dog food over the fence and let him live off that until the smell goes away. Its more humane the burying the dog.

 

[groundcover]

I read somewhere ( probably TBN) that a head shot can spread rabies through the air.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I watched our black lab kill a skunk once. He had it pretty well figured out. Full throttle running towards the skunk. Skunks don't have very good eyesight so good plan on the dogs part. He got his nose under the skunk and tossed it about 6 feet into the air. This was still at full throttle. Next was full 4x4 to get turned around before the skunk figured out what was going on. Then he grabbed the skunk in his mouth a shook the living daylights out of it. Then chomp chomp from one end to the other. Repeat untill he was sure the skunk was dead. Then it was off to the pond for a swim to get rid of about 90% of the smell. It was awesome to watch!

 

[mapper]

Mace posted the best formula. As to how it got past the fence... an average skunk can get through a 2x4 fence. Their skull and bodies are much smaller than they look with the fluffed fur.

Our ten pound cat has been sliding through our 2x4 garden fence for years. Appears effortless.

 

[MossRoad]

I read somewhere ( probably TBN) that a head shot can spread rabies through the air.

Rabies can only be transmitted with direct contact of blood or saliva from the infected animal to your blood or saliva or eyes, etc... the virus itself dies in air. So, yes, I suppose if you shot a rabid animal and its blood splattered back into your open mouth, open eye, or open cut, you could get rabies. But the virus itself won't transfer through the air. It has to remain in blood or saliva droplets. At least, that's the way I understand it.

 

[gsganzer]

Eddie,
My dog's been sprayed 5 times in the past year. He's an idiot. He could get sprayed 5 more times and still not know any better. We have it down to a science. Bucket warm water, add 1 pint to a quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 to 1 cup baking soda and 1- 2 teaspoons of Dawn. The only reason I give a range for the ingredients is because sometimes it depends how bad the dog got blasted by the skunk and how hard your water is. this concoction works like magic for both the dog and the person washing the dog. Skip the recommendations that include tomato juice or feminine products, this recipe works hands down.

 

[check]

Some pet stores offer skunk soap/shampoo it's okay but the old tomato soup bath still works.

The Tomato Juice bath does not work. It's a myth!

 

[KYErik]

About 10 years ago, I had a dog get sprayed. I didn't attempt a bath- the smell slowly wore off in about a week.

I also know from experience that skunks enjoy cat food- I'm not sure if you leave any food sitting out for your dogs at night, but if so, they will keep coming back. I caught one in a live trap and used a clear sheet of plastic as a shield on my approach and to wrap the cage. I was surprised that he didn't spray as I had to carry the cage about 150 feet to the place that was safe to dispatch him with a .22. The clear plastic made it easier to see well enough to make a humane kill through the plastic and cage wire.