How do you euthanize a skunk?

This question is usually accompanied by nervous laughter and the underlying belief that there’s no easy or safe way to provide this animal with a good death. In fact there is an easy, safe and humane way to euthanize the skunk. You need three things:

• the right equipment
• the proper pre-euthanasia drug, and
• knowledge of skunk behavior.
  

Equipment

Traps. The best traps are metal wire with a single trap, guillotine door. Don’t use the solid type (usually sold for skunks) because they’re too hot in the summer (if left out in the sun, a trapped skunk can suffer a horrible death in one of these), and they don’t work as well with the following procedure.

Pole Syringe. Do not use the jab type, which forces you to shove a large-gauge needle into the animal. If you use one of these on a skunk, you’re asking to get sprayed.

This company offers an extension pole syringe: Tomahawklivetrap.com


Pre-euthanasia Drugs

From a licensed veterinarian acquire ketamine/xylazine “PreMix.” This is a mixture of two different drugs: ketamine (100 mg/ml) and xylazine (100 mg/ml). Have your veterinarian mix five parts ketamine with one part xylazine. Do not change the ratio. Then have your veterinarian put his/her clinic label on the bottle with a six-month expiration date. Store at room temperature in a locked cabinet when not in use.

Keep accurate use records, just like you would with any controlled substances. Ketamine and xylazine are not controlled substances (except ketamine in California). In most states they can be lawfully purchased through a licensed  veterinarian.

The proper PreMix dosage is 0.6 ml (cc) per ten pounds of skunk. This means the average skunk (seven to eight pounds) will need only a 1/2 cc. Don’t overdose; it’s not necessary and won’t do you any good. At current prices, the cost of PreMix is about 50 cents per skunk. Always use a new needle, which will add a few cents to the cost.


Skunk Behavior

Nature has given this wonderful creature very effective defensive equipment. Balancing this ability to spray a noxious liquid is an easygoing temperament. Mr. Skunk will only spray if he feels threatened, and he is not easily threatened. He will usually warn you before he sprays by stamping his front feet. If you ignore the warning and keep threatening him, he’ll turn around, lift his tail and ruin your day. If you get sprayed, it’s a safe bet that you weren’t paying attention.

It is quite possible to approach, cover with a towel or blanket, pick up, transport and euthanize a trapped skunk without being sprayed. But you must move slowly, never surprise him, and always give him a chance to adjust (cool off) after doing something with him.

Just a warning: some people believe that if you lift a skunk’s hind legs off the ground, he can’t spray you. This is not true!


Euthanasia Procedure

Transport. Don’t surprise him. Approach the trap so that you’re facing him. Don’t approach him from his rear. Walk slowly and talk to him. Yes, talk to him. Let him know that you’re coming. Approach the trap, cover it with a large towel or blanket then, wait a few minutes for him to adjust. He’ll feel safe in the darkened trap, which means he won’t spray.

Pick up the trap and carry it to your vehicle. Wait a few minutes and then drive him to the shelter. After you arrive, wait a few minutes, then carry the trap to the skunk euthanasia area (preferably an outdoor area—let’s not push our luck). Remove the blanket or towel and let him get used to his surroundings before proceeding (ten to thirty minutes is usually enough).

Euthanasia. Load the safety stick with the proper dose of PreMix (remember 0.6 ml per ten pounds). Do not use pentobarbital sodium as a pre-euthanasia drug! Place a new 25-gauge needle on a locking-hub 3 cc syringe, snap the syringe into the stick, and you’re ready to go.

Approach the trap so that you’re facing the skunk. Talk to him so you won’t surprise him. He’ll generally keep his face toward you, which is good. If he turns his back to you it’s not a good sign—back off for awhile.

Skunks will generally lie toward the back of the trap.  This being the case, now lift the front of the trap approximately six inches so that you have a better angle to work with.  You can open the trap door or not, depending on whether the door is solid metal or whether the safety stick will fit through the metal mesh of the trap.
As you face the skunk, slowly move the stick toward him. The best place to inject the PreMix is into the front of either his left or right shoulder. Gently insert the needle into the muscle and inject slowly (it is important to inject slowly).

Remember that you’re using a very tiny needle and injecting a very small amount into him, which is why this is so gentle. Don’t jab or hurry, and he’ll usually ignore you. Keep your eye on him. If he gets up or stamps his feet, back off for awhile. Usually he’ll just lie there and let you inject him with PreMix.

After injecting him, back off and wait approximately three to five minutes. The PreMix is a powerful anesthetic which will quickly knock him out. Once unconscious, he can’t bite or spray. He’ll be out for thirty to 45 minutes.

Once he’s unconscious, pull him out of the trap and inject 1 cc per ten pounds of a six-grain pentobarbital sodium into his heart. The intracardiac shot will not hurt him as long as he’s unconscious. Verify death by leaving the needle/syringe in his heart until the syringe stops moving. He will not spray as he goes under either the PreMix or the pentobarbital sodium.

This process is easy, fast, gentle, and very effective. Be calm and professional and it will work for you.

You can learn more about providing humane deaths to the animals at your shelter by attending AHA’s Euthanasia-By-Injection Workshop. Doug Fakkema, a nationally-renowned animal care and control consultant, presents the two-day course, which includes lectures and hands-on sessions. Call AHA at 800-227-4645 to learn how to bring this training to your area.