Of all the local wildlife native to the Mid Columbia region, the one little critter you want to give a wide berth to is the skunk. Those of us who live in the Mid Columbia can assure you that if you've never tangled with a skunk, you don't want to. However, accidents happen and if you or your pet (and we're talking dogs, here; cats aren't generally stupid enough to mess with a skunk) gets sprayed with a skunk, the odor can linger for a long, long time without proper treatment.
Popular Science (Aug.'95) published a scientific study they did comparing various home remedies to elleviate the noxious scent of skunk. Tomato juice baths are worthless and will dye your animal pink; and while Massengil as a home remedy is bit more effective (it uses hydrogen peroxide), it doesn't have the strength to do the job right and poor Rover will still spend several nights exiled to the back yard while the scent wears off. The following recipe wins, hands down. Friends of mine used it when their dog got sprayed full in the face. They report that within 20 minutes of using this recipe on the dog, the dog was comfortably settling into bed next to them for the night.
Here is the best skunk deodorizer recipe you will ever find:
In a bucket, mix:
The mixture will bubble. Thoroughly wet the victim in this mixture, taking care to keep it out of the eyes. Wash the dog with the mixture as if it were shampoo while it is bubbling. Rinse the dog and repeat. Be careful not to contaminate the rinse water.
The soap breaks down the oil in which the odor is suspended, and the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda neutralize the scent. Do not premix the solution or store this potion in a bottle (the bubbling would cause it to explode).
Want to know a little more about skunks?
Striped Skunk
Skunks are very common in the Mid Columbia, in both rural areas and within town borders. Two species of skunks live in Oregon - the spotted skunk and the larger, more common striped skunk. Both species ranges extend over much of the state, although striped skunks are more common in the Mid Columbia area.
A skunk is about the size of a domestic cat, but its legs are much shorter. A skunk's tail is long and bushy. Most of the head and body are glossy black. A narrow white stripe extends from the top of the nose to the forehead. A white patch on the back of the neck tapers into a single white stripe that extends to the shoulders then splits into two stripes that continue down the top or sides of the back. Other markings include some white hairs in the tail and occasionally a small white patch on the chest.
Skunks are primarily nocturnal (active at night) and occasionally during the daylight hours of early morning or late evening. Striped skunks can carry rabies, leptospirosis and tularemia, all diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Leave alone any skunk seen out during daylight hours. Their overall value is very positive, however, since the biggest part of their diet consists of insects and small rodents.
Skunks are mild-tempered animals that will avoid a confrontation unless they are cornered or harmed. When cornered or pursued closely, they usually face the intruder, arch their backs, raise their tails, and stamp the ground with their front feet. If a skunk's warning is ignored, it turns around with its tail raised and facing the threat so that it's in a good position for discharging its musk. Skunks have perfected the art of musk gland marksmanship, with which they can hit a moving target at up to 20 feet.
Skunks discharge an obnoxious scent when provoked. Without treatment, the scent has remarkable staying power, lingering for weeks, if not months.
This scent or musk is secreted by two internal glands located at the base of the tail. The glands open to the outside through small nipples which are hidden when the tail is down and exposed when it's raised. A skunk has voluntary control over the glands and can control the direction in which the musk is discharged. The glands contain about 1 tablespoon of thick, volatile, yellowish, oily liquid. This musk (the chemical name is butylmercaptan) has been detected at distances of up to 20 miles away from where it was discharged. Skunk spray, a mild poison that looks like milk in its liquid form, can temporarily blind and incapacitate its victims. The compound is painful to the eyes, but does not cause permanent blindness.
Here are some ways you can discourage skunks from frequenting your property:
Go to HEALTH INDEX page
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