Exotic Nutrition Pet Company: Common Health Issues Among Pet Skunks Exotic Nutrition

Select a Species

Exotic Nutrition Posting Page

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Welcoming a pet skunk into your home means accepting all the responsibilities that come with this furry creature. Skunks are generally hardy pets that can live 6-8 years or longer. By the time a skunk begins to show signs of sickness, the illness may already be in an advanced stage and difficult to treat. This is why it is important that you remain vigil toward your pet's health and provide it with the attention and care it desires. Medications and vaccines have not been developed or tested specifically for skunks, but educated veterinarians can help provide your pet with the care it needs. The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians lists veterinarians with expertise in exotic animal medicine.

While some health issues are genetic and cannot be controlled, you can control the most important factors that help insure that your skunk can live a long and happy life: diet, housing, environment, exercise, social enrichment, and health care. Many skunk illnesses are a result of improper diet. Exotic Nutrition provides a Premium Skunk Diet that is nutritionally balanced and contains all the essential nutrients your pet skunk needs. As a skunk owner, you should be aware of the four most common health concerns for pet skunks: obesity, cardiomyopathy, fatty liver disease, and viral diseases.

1) Obesity is caused by eating a diet too high in fat or by overeating. Look for signs of obesity shown by physical appearance, lethargy, and difficulty walking. You can prevent obesity by not overfeeding, providing a diet that is high in protein and low in fat, encouraging activity, and by weighing your pet weekly to ensure it maintains a healthy weight.

2) Signs of cardiomypathy, or heart disease, include shortness of breath, coughing, weakness, lethargy, lack of appetite and eventual weight loss. While no cure exists, treatment can help improve the quality of life and help prolong life.

3) Fatty liver disease, or hepatic lipidosis, is another common illness seen in skunks. Signs of hepatic lipidosis include anorexia, rapid weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, weakness, and jaundice. Treatment options include a supportive diet and possibly fluids and supplements.

4) Skunks are susceptible to many viral diseases like rabies, canine hepatitis and more commonly, canine distemper. We recommend vaccination against canine distemper with Purevax, especially for skunks that travel with you outside of the home. Signs of canine distemper include weight loss, hardening of the footpads, pus discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, seizures and other nervous system problems.

While many of these health issues are related to weight, it is important to remember that crash diets are dangerous and must be avoided. Any dietary changes for your pet should be slow and gradual. Always remember that the best healthcare you can provide for your pet is preventative health care. Preventing problems is much easier and less expensive than treating them.

See our website for more nutritional Skunk Diets and Supplements!

by: Exotic Nutrition