My Dog STINKS!!!!! - Richmond,TX

Updated on December 09, 2011
M.L. asks from Spokane, WA
10 answers

She's a lab/border collie mix. We shave her practically bald to help control her issues, so hair isn't the issue. She has nasty skin, bad dander and allergies. She does not have ear/yeast infections which is often a yucky smell too. She is 9 years old, and her condition progressively gets worse, I've had her since she was 6 months old. She is always scratching and getting her nasty funk allover. She gets baths to help (but not too often, as that can have bad effects too) and meds to help with her allergies. She sometimes has to go in for antibiotics and steroid shots for when her reactions get out of control (as in huge bald, bloody, inflamed patches of skin, eyes swelling shut, though that only happens every few years)...). Her vet says she is one of the worst he's seen at these times. She is allergic to the outdoors basically and bugbites, nothing in the house or food, so she only goes out to potty for a minute then stays inside all day. But this is just so much worse these past few months, so stinky and disgusting, I don't even want to have people over in my home.Normally, her skin is decent, so this flare up is just awful. And the interesting thing is, she doesn't even have a bad outbreak right now. We only have carpet in two rooms, which totally smell gross now so we have to get them cleaned, and the rest of the house is tile so easy to clean. I have slipcovers on my couches so again, easy to clean. It's not an anal gland problem, she can take care of that on her own and quickly. So.... anyone have any ideas on what I can do to make my home (and her) smell fresh and clean, aside form masking the smell with candles/sprays? Any good advice on soothing shampoos for itchy/allergic skin? The vet has expensive rx shampoos, but they don't seem to help. *No, She doesn't have fleas, thank heavens!!

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So What Happened?

It turns out she had a staph/bacterial infection, brought on by her allergies and itching. So now with a round of antibiotics, allergy meds and medicated shampoos, hopefully we can keep it under control for a little bit!

Featured Answers

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think there are vets that specialize in allergies. I think you need a referral to O..
Sometimes colleges that teach veterinary medicine are the place to go--is there O. near you.
It just seems like without addressing the allergy/skin issue, it's just going to be a temporary masking of the smell.
Poor thing.

Here's an interesting article:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/skin-discharge-or-odor-in-do...

It says that skin odor is a common manifestation of a skin infection. The most common skin infections are bacterial (superficial pyoderma) and yeast (Malassezia dermatitis) infections.

Sounds like you needs to have this specifically identified in order to treat it correctly.

(My dog had lupus and he didn't smell like that.)

Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

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K.C.

answers from Texarkana on

i used to work at a vet clinic a few years ago and w ur dogs allergys and skin problems we would use aveeno or johnsons oatmeal shampoo/soap and then liquid ivory dishsoap on them, the combo smelled wonderful and actually made the skin smoother. I actually now only buy ivory soap for myself ( not dishsoap of course lol) but i love the soft smooth smell and feel. worth a try for a couple bucks.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

Wow! I am so sorry - I am going to offer some advice, though not founded on anything - whenever it is available again - try Nioxin shampoo.
It is for adults with dandruff caused from fungul infection of the skin. (acually that is what causes most dandruff) anyhow, they have been out and I did some research and the main ingredient is also in animal shampoos - if the shampoo doesn't have this certain anti fungal (starts with a "K") it doesn't work the same.
could help your little poochie. I used it on our lab when he was having dander issues and it helped a lot!
EDIT : I was cleaning out the closet this weekend and realized I put the WRONG shampoo name down - it is Nizoral, not Nioxin. sorry!!

3 moms found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Our basset hound has these issues, the skin, the smell, ect. He was diagnosed with dog lupus! They did a biopsy and that is what it showed. He has been 100 % better since being put on prednisone. Just a thought....

2 moms found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I used to have a dog like that, but in her case I think it was mostly a reaction to fleas. Those were in the days before Advantage and the other flea product (forget the name). Poor, sweet dog, she was always scratching. Other than that, she was an amazing dog. I still miss her, 20 years later.

I'm assuming your dog doesn't have fleas? If so, get her on Advantage or the other one.

And if it's not fleas, I think Christy's suggestion is a good one.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

What do you feed her? Diet makes the biggest difference in skin and coat. My friend just switched to the Natural Balance, and thank goodness, since Millie is coming to stay with me, she no longer stinks, and I get to say I told you so.

But seriously the right diet for the right dog can be huge. Frequent bathing in a oatmeal and alloe shampoo, diluted, you can bathe daily. Even a cool rinsing can do wonders. My boy gets seasonal allergies and it took several food changes and steroids on a as need basis to keep it under control. We feed Natures Variety ourselves, but itis a bit hard to find, but there is alot of good food at pet stores these days. I would find one that cuts corn comepletely out of her diet.

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from New York on

We had a dog with bad skin allergies. He smelled so bad and the scent rubbed off onto our furniture and anything he came in contact with. We tried every allergy med, antibiotic, shampoo available without results, we spent a fortune going to a pet dermatologist, nothing worked. His skin was so bad, he was so uncomfortable, we really couldn't care for him, sadly we had to give him away to a family that was able to deal with and care for his allergies. We were never able to identify the allergen

1 mom found this helpful
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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

My best friend has a dog w/skin allergies.
She took her dog to an allergy vet specialist to find out what caused it
and what to feed her.
Dog can only have salmon, chicken & rice type science dog food and the
real stuff.
She gets special meds once a week & a shot once a month to keep the
yeast, I think it is, in her skin at bay.
Taking poochie to the vet to find out exactly what it is & go from there.
Good luck. Poor poochie is probably feeling miserable.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

My mother's dog had this problem and it turned out to be a rotten tooth that even the vet didn't notice!

So, while it seems unlikely -- check her teeth to make sure that it isn't coming from another source.

Otherwise -- I would suggest you see a specialist/dermatologist/allergist.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Houston on

If everyone around your dog is miserable...imagine how the dog feels!

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