The Fur Animals of Louisiana 



135 



should be exercised at this point not to cut the duct or 

 other organs. A clamping forceps should be placed over 

 the duct close up to the gland, as indicated in the illustration 

 marked B. The gland is then cut out and the duct severed 

 just beyond the clamp. The gland, with the clamp attached, 

 is then lifted out. The wounds should be brushed with a 

 weak solution of carbolic and need no other dressing. No 

 anaesthetic need be used for this operation on a young 

 skunk, but the older the animal the more difficult it will be 

 because of the larger glands, the sacs in mature animals 

 being approximately three-fourths inch in diameter. 



* a!> 



The figure on the left shows the scent sacs of the skunk by dotted lines. 

 The anus and sphinster muscles are indicated by a, and the lines for making 

 the incison to expose the sacs and ducts are marked m. The figure on the right 

 shows a section through the scent glands, a, Anus; b, sphinster muscle; c, 

 position for clamps; d, muscle about scent sacs; s. scent sacs; f, rectum; m. 

 depth (shaded area) of incision to be made. Care must be taken not to injure 

 the sphinster nor to cut into the sac or duct. Length of ducts exaggerated. 

 (D.awing from Biological Survey.) 



Another operation to deodorize a skunk has been pro- 

 posed. It consists of cutting the skin over the glands so as 

 to expose a section of the duct leading from the gland and 

 cutting out a portion of it. In healing, the duct is perma- 

 nently closed and the animal is powerless to use the secre- 

 tion and the gland dries up. The removal process is the 

 surest and safest operation. 



