CHAPTER VIII. 



DEODORIZING THE SKUNK 



While removiug the seent from a .skunk has not the remote.st relation — 

 either directly or indireetly to animal castration; nevertheless, on account 

 of its novelty and the dearth of reliahle literature on the suhject the author 

 considers it of sufficient interest and importance for hrief mention in the 

 concluding' jiages of tliis volume. 



Ohjpcis and I ncUcations — It should lie remembered that tlie skunk has 

 j',0 effective means of protection or defense aside from the scent fluid which 

 it possesses and uses without stint when necessary. Ordinarily, the fluid 

 discharged by the skuidv is amply sufficient to ward off almost any kind of 

 attack and protect the animal from danger. The scent fluid is only dis- 

 rharged when the animal is alarmed or frightei^ed, and contrary to the 

 prevailing pojndai' ojiinion. is not urine, and has no connection with the 

 urinary apparatus. Skmdvs are deodorized for the purpose of converting 



Fig. i;i2 — Diagrammatic illustration shewing scent secreting and expelling ap- 

 paratus. A, Anus; B-B. .let or nipple-like opening of anal ducts; C-C, ducts; D-D. 

 anal glands; E-E, sacs or reservoirs. 



them into desirable household pets. Such animals never scratch and rarely 

 ever bite, and are absolutely liariidess. 



Age — They sliould be operated upon at an early age (30 to 60 days old), 

 as the mortality rate following operation in the mature skunk is very high. 



treason — Whenever you can succeed in catching them. This is one animal 

 at least you must catch l)efore you can operate ujion it. 



Preparation — If ]iossible the young animals (kittens) should be ke])t and 

 fondled for several days before they are submitted to operation, so they 

 may become accustomed to Iteijig handled. By thus preparing tliem they 

 may be handled through tlie preparatory stages of the o])eration without 

 voiding the scent fluid. 



Restraint — The operation must be done under a glass to ])rotect operator 

 and assistants. A large pane of window glass should be supported at each 

 end and raised about ten inches from the floor. Two assistants are necessary. 



