And that sweet stink they cut loose carries the rabies virus as well so avoid the spray.......
With all due respect, this is NOT true.
My Auburn Vet buddy sent me this (Not sure if it was from a text or Internet):
"Cattle most often become infected with rabies when they come in contact with infected raccoons, skunks or foxes. Cattle�s curious nature puts them especially at risk when they investigate an animal which is acting strangely in their area. Rabid animals are prone to bite livestock on the nose or extremities. Because these wildlife species are well adapted to areas where cattle are kept the threat of becoming infected is always present. Cattle in barns or other enclosures are not spared the risk of rabies since infected wildlife commonly frequent cattle housing."
I am from a long line of cattlemen and if you have ever watched cattle and how they react to a coyote or dog (let alone a coon, fox, or skunk) in their midst, you'll quickly understand how a dozen curious cows could be bitten on the nose by a rabid animal in their pasture or feed lot. It actually makes sense to me how a smaller animal like a skunk could pose a bigger threat simply due to the fact that the cows do not feel threatened by an animal of that size.
If you could get it from skunk spay, think of how many folks would turn up with it on your typical expressway where a skunk had just been run over. To smell it means the particles are in your nose!!
I love the little spotted skunks! I wish I had one.
