De-Worming your Adult Skunk
De-worming your adult skunk properly is a very important part of skunk ownership that is often done improperly or not at all. All skunk kits come with roundworms that need to be removed before they build to a dangerous level. Read about de-worming a kit here. If you have had your skunk since it was a kit and already followed the initial 3 de-wormings, then you should be able to de-worm twice a year. If you have not already done so, start with the recommendations for de-worming a kit first. The recommended de-worming medications for skunks are Strongid (Pyrantel Pomoate) for kits and adults up to 4 lbs, and Panacur (Fenbendazole) for skunks 4 lbs and up. Panacur is a better choice because it kills more types of parasites than Strongid. Panacur comes in liquid form, Panacur Suspension 10%, or granules called Panacur C. If you are using the liquid Panacur, it is dosed at 25 mg per pound, or 50 mg per kilogram given daily for 3 consecutive days. There are cases where Veterinarians have given Panacur for up to 5 consecutive days. If you choose the granule form of Panacur, skunks 4 lbs to 10 lbs will get Panacur C, 1 gram, for 3 days in a row, wait exactly 2 weeks and repeat for 3 more days. Wait 6 months and give for 3 days, wait exactly 2 weeks and repeat for 3 more days. Each box contains 3 packs so you will be able to give it […]
Prolapses
Prolapses in skunks most often occur because of improper or incomplete de-worming. This can happen a day or so after de-worming a skunk with a huge parasite load. The dead and dying parasites can cause a blockage that are a medical emergency! An intestinal blockage is another cause of prolapse. In cases where the prolapse won’t stay in, your Veterinarian may decide to put a stitch, until it heals. Some skunk owners feel they can handle this but in my experience, most, if not all, prolapse cases require a Veterinarian as soon as possible. Until you can get to your Veterinarian, the most important thing is to carefully get the intestine back in where it belongs. Make sure the area is clean, then apply a bit of KY Jelly or Vaseline on the tip of your sterile, gloved finger, apply light pressure, and slowly push it back in. Hold for a few minutes. While healing, keep your baby on a soft food or liquid diet until healed. Do NOT feed a high fiber diet to a skunk with a prolapse as it can make it worse.