People often think of skunks because of their unique looks and strong smell, but there’s another important thing to know about their behaviour: they can carry and spread rabies. People who live in places where skunks are common need to know about the link between skunks and rabies and take the right steps to lower the risks.
A Look at Rabies in Skunks
Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It usually ends in death. It can be spread by the saliva of animals that are sick, usually by scratches or bites. Many types of animals can carry and spread rabies, but in North America, skunks are thought to be one of the main reservoir species.
Rabies is very contagious among skunks, and the disease can spread very quickly through skunk populations. The virus can affect skunks in both cities and the country, so people who live in these places need to be aware of the risks of rabies.
How to Spot a Rabid Skunk
It can be hard to tell if a skunk is rabid because its signs look like those of a lot of other diseases. But here are some usual signs that a skunk is rabid:
- Behaviour Problems: Skunks that are rabid often act in strange ways, like walking in rounds or circling.
- Aggression: Skunks are usually not mean, but sick skunks can get mean and may try to attack people or other animals.
- Activities at Night: Skunks usually come out at night, but rabid skunks may be busy during the day.
- Too Much Salivation: Skunks that are rabid may drool because they salivate too much.
- Loss of Fear of People: Skunks are usually shy and stay away from people, but mad skunks may lose their fear and come up to people or pets.
How Rabies Spreads and the Risk
The saliva of infected animals, usually through bites or open cuts, is the main way that rabies is spread. Even though skunks are known to carry rabies, it’s important to know that not all of them are sick. The disease doesn’t happen very often in skunk groups, but when it does, it can have very bad effects.
People and pets are more likely to get rabies from skunks if they are close to each other or if dogs have not been properly vaccinated. Pets that haven’t been vaccinated and come into touch with rabid skunks are very likely to get sick. Because of this, rabies shots for pets are important for their health and to keep people from getting infected.
Warnings and How to Avoid Them
To lower the risks of skunks and rabies, take these steps:
- Vaccinations for Pets: Make sure that all of your pets, like dogs and cats, have their rabies shots up to date. This not only keeps them safe, but it also helps stop the disease from spreading to people.
- Avoid Close Contact: No matter how healthy it looks, you should never touch or try to handle a skunk. Stay away from wild animals and don’t touch them.
- Controlling wild animals: If you have a skunk problem on your land, you might want to hire a wildlife control service. They know how to safely and kindly deal with skunks and have the right tools for the job.
- Report Suspected Rabid Animals: If you see a skunk or any other animal acting strangely, you should report it to your local animal control or wildlife officials. Do not try to catch or handle the animal by yourself.
- Educate Children: Talk to your kids about the dangers of wild animals, like skunks. Tell them to stay away from wildlife and not touch or contact with it.
In conclusion, people who live in places where skunks are common need to know about the link between skunks and rabies. Even though skunks don’t usually spread rabies, when they do, the effects can be very bad. You can lower the risks of getting this virus and protect your family and pets from getting it by taking the right steps, like getting your pets vaccinated and staying away from skunks and other wild animals.
At Skunk Control Barrie, guarantees complete skunk removal using industry-standard methods that have been time-tested on numerous cases before and are approved by the federal and provincial governments.