The virus can live in any flesh, it is slow growing and takes a long time to migrate down the nervous system. The vet was focused on the brain because that is where they do their testing for the disease....a wacked up mushed up skull makes it harder and messy to look for the virus.

I think Crager said it best. There is a lot of false info in some of these posts.
I do believe that pre exposure rabies shots are a good idea. It is the exposure you might have got that they protect you. Twice I've been bitten by foxes and I only needed to get a booster shot.
Even a lot of doctors don't know much about the rabies shots.
The suggestion of storing essence in an empty paint can is a good one. I use those green metal ammo cans. Don't use the cheaper plastic ones.

A metal can will not contain the skunk essence smell. A plastic bucket filled with dirt, a card board box filled with dirt will much better. Skunks move year around depending on the temperature. At times it is common for them to move during the day.

When I do up one ,if it let go I hang it for a day or 2 out side in the shed and then wear rubber gloves to skin it and cut around where the scent glads are and then flesh it right away. Yes I comb it before skinning. then board it. then done. the buyers dose not have a problem with the way I skin them.it is easy and flesh.

I was told by my dad that years ago where he worked at one time on 2nd shift there was a guy use to go around the building on his break and catch skunks with his hands and walk into the building and pat it like a cat alive. He said the guy did not get squirt .The essences was worth alot back then he was told.

I haven’t been on this forum in a few years but I seen this post today and wanted to share my experience with skunks. I’ve owned and operated a Wildlife Nuisance Control company for about 9 years now in the Bay Area, Northern California. I trap between 2-5 skunks a day, 3-5 times a week, between July-Dec. (most active during these months) also, trap raccoons, possums etc. I receive at least 7 calls a week about skunks. In one calendar year I receive 1-2 calls with skunks with impaired locomotion or paralysis. I then euthanize, freeze and then drop off to county to dispose. No testing. All sick skunks / calls in the past 9 years never showed any sign of aggressive or erratic behavior. It doesn’t mean they weren’t rabid. Having direct contact via bitten two raccoons and 2 skunks trapped, euthanized and tested for rabies all came back negative. The animal brain matter is tested so don’t shoot the animal in the head. But what’s surprising is that it’s almost unheard of from animal control staff and officers in my county (metropolitan area) of humans being bitten or scratched by any wildlife. Meaning it rarely happens. I felt like I’m the only one.

After all of that, I’ve have never encountered one reservoir* animal (bat skunk raccoon fox) and said to myself that THIS animal has rabies. Its rare to encounter a rabid animal. But I treat every animal I handle as if they are rabid. I keep hand sanitizer with me at all times as rabies is a fragile virus and will help in an emergency before visiting the hospital if bitten and animal got away. Bring animal to local animal control if caught ASAP to get tested. If you get bit and animal gets away you’re looking at a rabies treatment cost of about $3500 depending on area. Ive never been vaccinated but you can easily get vaccinated at your nearby Walgreens / Duane Reade store. Remember booster shots.

Bottom line: Rabies is rare but never come into direct contact with live wildlife.


Best regards,

Joe




* Reservoirs: Rabies is a zoonose, meaning that it is a disease that is transmitted to humans via domestic or wild animal reservoirs (1). Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes act as the major reservoir and primary cause of infection to other animals and humans in the United States.

On this topic. I have been a pretty avid trapper and am a local state trooper. Today I recieved a call for an injured fox. When I showed up, I could clearly see it was not injured, but just walking around like it was drunk, not keeping balance and drooling down its chest. My first assumption is rabies. Now it's a beautiful grey fox and they are rarely seen in this area compared to reds. My question is, would you folks think its rabies or distemper? And can I safely skin this critter to be tanned or would you folks just toss it? Thanks

Again:

Veterans can get the shots at the VAMC, If they give you any crap, tell them you handle wild animals, and NEED the shots. You may have to go the a Vet Rep or the Patients Advocate and argue a bit.

Good information Calvin, I have my shots...but need a booster now.

Anybody got any input??

Wouldn't mess with it.

February is breeding season for skunks, males will be out in about any weather looking for love.

Hi Calvin,

Do you happen to remember what documentary this was, or where you saw it?

Thanks.

-JRT

Those are classic symptoms of rabies. Disorientation and excessive salivation. So I would say it is very likely to be rabies. Distemper usually starts with eye and nasal discharge.

I believe that veterinarians typically are vaccinated against rabies, so if you are having trouble finding a place to get vaccinated, ask your local vet where they got theirs.

I was just thinking this morning that I need my booster. Got my series of shots the first time at the county health department. Not sure why Doc sent me there but did as I was told.

You need a blood test to check your titer to determine if you need a booster or not. I know folks who have not needed a booster over a period of 20 years.

I ask about that at my last physical and they looked at me like I was crazy. Said they didn’t know where to get that done! Kinda worries a guy about his rural health care provider. We call it going to the vet. Lol

Worst case I ever came across was when a landowner said there was skunk in the ditch down the road if I wanted it. Got there and it was clear it had been crawling in circles on it’s side it had the ground all flattened and it was biting at the grass as it’s mouth was full of grass. I put it down and never touched it told the land owner to do the same and keep his animals away. Best to let it dry out in the sun the 2 best ways to kill the virus. NEVER shoot a sick animal in the head if rabies is a possibility.

Unfortunately, many medical professionals are ignorant about rabies and the vaccine for pre-exposure for humans. Veterinarians on the other hand are usually well aware of the vaccine since they have had it administered. We would probably get better advice about rabies vaccine from a Vet than your average MD.