Wild animals often become ill, just like pets. The difference is that you do not always see when they are ill. It is easy to determine when your pet or child is ill. They will behave in a way that is different than usual. It is not that easy with wild animals. Just like pets, they have different personalities. Some animals are more energetic and shy than others. It is important to know the difference.



How does a healthy skunk behave?
The easiest way to determine if a Coral Springs skunk is ill is to watch it for a while. Skunks are skittish animals that will shy away from humans. They are also nocturnal and are not usually out during the day.

Pet skunks
If you have a pet Florida skunk, you will be able to see if they are acting differently. If they don’t eat, lose weight or become aggressive, you need to take them to the vet. Any animal that acts in a way that is not normal indicates a problem.

Symptoms of a sick Coral Springs skunk
• Refusing to eat
• Immobility
• May want to be warm
• Loss of balance
• Missing fur
• Broken limb
• Inability to see
• Foaming at the mouth
• Discoloration of the skin or coat
• Body odor
• Swallowing non-edible objects

Getting the necessary help
If you see a Florida skunk that is exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should phone a wildlife rehabilitation center. They will be able to assist you in getting the needed help.

Diseases that skunks get
• Rabies. Rabies is the most common disease contracted by skunks. It will lead to involuntary muscle spasms. The skunk will also have trouble swallowing and can start producing an excessive amount of saliva. They will also become very aggressive to animals and humans alike.
• Distemper. There are a variety of symptoms that present when an animal is infected with Canine Distemper. They include fever, eye and nose discharge, inflammation of the optic nerve, squinting, vomiting, hardening of the foot pads and nose, labored breathing and a cough being some of them.
• Leptospirosis. The symptoms of this are mostly flu-like. The animal can also become jaundiced. The skin and eyes will have a yellow cast.
• Canine hepatitis. They will have a slight fever, excessive thirst, anorexia, and conjunctivitis to name a few.
• Worms. The most obvious symptom will be parasites in the feces of the Coral Springs skunk.

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