Registered: Apr 2011
Location: Franklin County,Va
Posts: 1149

Tuesday morning I woke up to the sound of pups screaming. Ran outside and there was a skunk in the lot with them. I still have not figured out how it got in there. I had just weaned the pups and there mom is in the lot right beside them. Any how got the skunk in the ground and called vet to see what I could do since pups were only 9 weeks. Not much to do however had to take them to skunk to have it tested. Got the results back yesterday morning and the skunk tested positive for rabies. After much discussion with two different vets we agreed on the most humane thing to do was put the pups down. This was our first litter that we attempted to raise. Not real for sure if we will try it again. But if you see a skunk around the best thing to do with it is shoot it.

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Michael Armes
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Registered: Nov 2012
Location: Laurel, IN
Posts: 1478

Man that sucks. No way to check the pups and see if they actually caught rabies before putting them all down? If the skunk didn't make contact with some of them, they likely don't have it. Rabies is transmitted via saliva so if they skunk didn't bite them you could be putting them down needlessly.

Really stinks you have to make that kind of choice. Best of luck to you. If it were me I'd run every test I could before I put down all the pups on the thought they might have rabies.

Don't be disheartened about raising pups. Its just like raising kids, sometimes it is heart-breaking but most of the time it's a lot of fun and totally worth it. Keep your chin up.

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Last edited by Paul Frederick on 10-18-2013 at 07:20 PM

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Registered: Apr 2011
Location: Franklin County,Va
Posts: 1149

The only way to test is by testing the brain. In Va you have to quarantine them for six months with absolutely no contact with humans or other animals. And then wait and see if any of them showed any signs of it. My primary vet is my cousin and I spent quite some time on the phone with her trying to come up with solutions.
If something was to happen and someone decided to try to pet them or anything I would be liable for anything that happened. I know three of them had marks on them from the skunk. Yes it is something that weighed heavy on me.

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Michael Armes
Angle Plantation Kennels
540-598-0173
Home of

PR CH Big Blue Buster HTX
PR CH Angle Plantation's Red Jasper

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19374

Mike... still agonizing over this sad loss you had... We were so excited with you as this litter was anticipated and born... and know how you felt. A TOUGH decision for sure but the right one....unfortunately.
You are in our prayers, Heather and Bob

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