Renal lesions in striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) from Louisiana

Renal tissue from 100 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) examined microscopically showed evidence of inflammation in 74% of the kidneys. Azotemia was present in 20% of the skunks that had severe renal lesions. The cause of inflammation is unknown, but leptospires were cultured from kidneys or urine of 55% of these skunks.