Skunk

Obesity

SignsWaist disappears, short stride and sluggish movement, heavy breathing, less grooming

PreventionAvoid dog/cat food as the main diet; feed vegetable-based, low-fat. Record weight once a month

Heart disease (cardiomyopathy)

SignsHeavy breathing after slight exertion, cough, purple tongue, swollen belly, limp and not moving

PreventionPreventing obesity comes first. From middle age, get an annual heart auscultation and X-ray

Liver disease (fatty liver)

SignsReduced appetite, jaundice (yellow gums, ears, whites of eyes), vomiting, lethargy, abdominal swelling

PreventionAvoid high-fat food and sudden fasting. See the vet if it has not eaten for 2 days

Periodontal disease / tartar

SignsBad breath, drooling, chewing on one side only, avoiding hard food, swollen cheek, dropping food

PreventionDo not feed only soft food. Practice handling the mouth and get an annual dental check

Metabolic bone disease

SignsWobbly hind legs, bone deformity, reluctance to walk, fractures from minor impacts

PreventionAvoid calcium deficiency and excess phosphorus; discuss nutritional balance with the vet

Canine distemper

SignsEye and nasal discharge, fever, diarrhea, hardened foot pads, seizures. Appears after contact with an infected dog

PreventionVaccines are not approved. Avoid contact with unvaccinated dogs and wildlife; keep shoes and hands clean

Torn nail / bleeding

PreventionReduce carpet and netting where nails can catch. Trim nails 1–2 times a month

First aidPress with clean gauze for 5 minutes. Use styptic powder or cornstarch to stop bleeding. Do not touch a broken nail; see the vet the same day

Fracture / dislocation

PreventionDo not let it climb tall furniture. A diet that prevents obesity and weak bones. Put mats on the floor

First aidDo not touch the injured area; confine it in a small carrier so it cannot move, and see the vet the same day

Paw pad injury from digging

PreventionProvide a sand or soil box for digging; do not let it dig on hard floors or concrete for long periods

First aidRinse under running water; press bleeding with gauze. See the vet the same day if swollen, infected, or unable to walk

Burns (heater)

PreventionInstall a guard so it cannot touch heaters, stoves or floor heating directly. Hide cords too

First aidCool under running water for 10 minutes. Do not apply ice. Wrap in a damp towel and see the vet the same day

Rabies

RouteBites, saliva. A major reservoir overseas; no cases in Japan

PreventionVaccine not approved. Follow import quarantine and keep it away from wildlife

Skunk roundworm (Baylisascaris)

RouteIngesting eggs from feces

PreventionRemove feces daily and wash hands. Always wash small children's hands after contact. Regular deworming

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection via feces or raw meat

PreventionDo not feed raw meat. Wash hands after cleaning the litter. Keep it off kitchen counters

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with skin and fur

PreventionSee the vet for hair loss or dandruff. Wash bedding and wash hands after handling

Food

• Mainly vegetables (leafy greens, squash, etc.) with small amounts of chicken breast, boiled egg, insects
• Twice a day, morning and evening. Fruit only as a treat. Adjust amounts by weight changes
• Supplement calcium etc. as advised by the vet. Avoid feeding commercial food alone

Water

• Fresh water always available in a heavy ceramic dish. Change daily
• It tips dishes over, so secure the dish and also use a water bottle

Toys & play

• A digging box filled with sand or soil (the most important stress relief)
• Puzzle toys that hide food. Balls, plush toys
• Tunnels, cardboard boxes. Satisfy the urge to explore

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark, snug sleeping spot (fabric house or box with a blanket)
• Place it somewhere quiet where it will not be disturbed by day

Bedding & litter

• Put the litter box in a corner; use paper cat litter or pet sheets
• Fleece or old blankets in the bed. Wash weekly
• Avoid loose cotton stuffing or thin string, which tangle in claws and feet

Cage / housing material

A large-dog metal crate, or fence off a corner of a room

Size & space

At least 1.2 m x 1.2 m. Free-roaming indoors is the norm

Layout

• Bed on one side, litter and water on the other. Digging box in the middle
• No need to climb; maximize floor area. Keep steps low
• Heater outside the fence, where it cannot be touched directly

Placement notes

• Sensitive to cold. Avoid drafts, cold floors, and areas near the front door
• Always lock or cover cupboards, trash cans and cords

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 1–2 hours of supervised free-roam time daily. Most active evening to night
• A harness is essential for outdoor walks. Hard to recapture if it escapes
• Let it explore with a digging box and puzzle toys to prevent obesity

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–26°C. Provide heating below 15°C

Humidity40–60%

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 26°C with air conditioning. Watch for heatstroke
• Winter: maintain room temperature with a heater. Appetite and activity drop in winter

Nail trimming

Digging claws grow long. Trim only the tips, 1–2 times a month, short of the quick. Easier after softening in water

Brushing, skin & coat care

Soft brush once a week. More often during spring and fall molts. See the vet for hair loss or dandruff

Other care

Make tooth brushing a habit. Check ears for dirt and odor weekly. A few baths a year is enough

Protection from predators

• Keep separate from dogs and cats. They can be a source of distemper and other infections
• Outdoors, watch for wildlife and crows. Never leave it unattended
• Discuss mosquito, flea and tick prevention with the vet

Foreign-body ingestion

Puts anything in its mouth. Do not leave rubber bands, buttons, cotton or medicine on the floor. If swallowed, do not force vomiting; see the vet the same day

Being stepped on

Clings to your feet and is easily stepped on. Watch your feet when walking; use a light in dark rooms. If stepped on, see the vet the same day

Getting pinched

Tail or body easily caught in doors. Use door stoppers and check where it is before closing. See the vet for swelling or pain

Falls

Poor eyesight; cannot judge height. Falls off sofas and beds. Keep steps low; after a fall, watch how it walks

Escape

Slips through screen doors and gaps, and digs its way out. Use double doors. If it escapes, lure it at night with favorite food and bedding scent, and contact the animal control center

Safe release procedure

1. Freeze and relax, letting the bitten part push in toward the mouth
2. Drape a thick towel over its head to block its vision
3. Dribble a little water on its nose or make a loud noise on the floor to distract it
4. Once it lets go, put it in the cage or a dark place and leave it until calm

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. See a doctor for deep wounds, swelling or fever. Tell the doctor if the animal has been overseas

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Diet, weight changes, elimination, whether descented, import history. Bring photos of vomit and stool and the packaging of anything eaten

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and poke an ear or toe to check for a response
• Count chest movements. Normal is about 20–40 per minute
• Place a hand on the left chest behind the front leg to feel the heartbeat

Stopping bleeding

• Keep pressing with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• For nails, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it will not stop or bleeding is heavy, keep pressing and go to emergency

Transport

• Line a small carrier with a blanket, keep it dark and carry it quietly
• In cold weather, keep warm with a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel. Do not apply directly