Hey guys long story short I have a Gray Fox that was exhibiting signs of either rabies or distemper. Is it safe to skin this animal for tanning or would you just toss it? Thanks

Is a fox pelt worth your life? Go catch a replacement.

I’d play it safe and toss it.

I think I would toss it. I wear rubber glove when handling all wild life ok call be a pansy. LOL

But I Vote!

I wear dish washing gloves for skinning, getting there, that’s called being smart not a pansy.

I go to harbor fright and by the blue gloves, if you watch you can get the for $5.95 for 50 pair.

ALWAYS Error on the side of caution. Personally, I'd send the carcass to get tested.

I am surprised no one has said sell it on the carcass, and trap another to get tanned

Most of us have skun plenty of skunks that had rabies.

That said, Many of us then went and got vaccinated against rabies.

I'm surprised that everyone one this website doesn't wear gloves of some type when skinning. There are many blood born pathogens that can enter your bloodstream through a break in your skin that are not rabies or distemper. You, at best, could end up with blood poisoning, or at worst, rabies shots if not previously vaccinated. Pretty cheap insurance.

I would toss it. There is no cure for rabies after you start showing signs. Only 1 person has ever survived. That will make a good post. I'll see if I can find the video.

I got bit by a healthy coyote while trapping for live market. Went and took all the shots as a precaution, cost me $14,000 out of pocket. I’ve got a family to care for, I wasn’t going to risk it-neither should you. I stay vaccinated now.

The fact that you asked that question tells me you ought to sell all your traps and move into an apartment building

Room temp and sunlight are rabies killers, that said pitch it and be safe.

I've been bit by a gray fox warden's took it to get it tested. Hospital refused rabies shot until there was a confirmation. Talk about 4 long days waiting for results. The hospital did a set of booster shots such as tetanus and a few others.

I'd bury or burn it.

I wouldn't handle a live animal that I thought had rabies.Dead-no problem as long as you follow the basic fur handling procedures like wearing nitrile gloves and washup your tools and area with pinesol or other type disinfectant on a regular basis,which you should be doing anyway.
When we had rabies go thru the foxes here,any that was alive I shot thru the lungs,not the head,then left it lay until next trapcheck so any saliva would dry.Then just process normally.If rabies is going thru a population of animals and you cut yourself while skinning it might be good idea to go for post exposure shots.They are covered here by OHIP,but the pre exposure you pay out of pocket.
Rabies is carried in saliva and brain matter.

Thanks for the constructive reply👍🏻

Good info appreciate it!

Great Info