Inky Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 My eight week old mini foxy absolutely reeks. He's had two baths since he came home last Friday, but within a few hours, he's stinking the place up again. When I bathe him, I don't do his head, for two reasons: 1) I don't want to get shampoo in his eyes, and 2) I used to wash my last dog's head and he wound up with an ear infection that his vet blamed on wet ears. I can't believe all this stink is coming just from his head, but could that be it? Should I try washing his head? I don't want to bathe him so often, 'cause I know it's not good for his skin, but his Dad isn't pleased with the smell. I'm pretty tolerant of all things animal - even smells - but it's starting to bother even me. He's eating Hill's Science Diet for puppies, small bites. His shampoo is Exelpet 2 in 1 conditioning shampoo. That'll be replaced as soon as I can get over to Fyshwick and buy a proper puppy shampoo. K-mart had a lousy selection, so that's what I'm stuck with for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina77 Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 You could try Baby shampoo, which won't sting his eyes, also use a flannel to do his head. Check if his ears don't smell inside, etc so it isn't something that warrants veterinary attention. Sometimes puppies smell, but excessive smell coming from the skin could be coming from the inside out so maybe its his food , I won't go into diet, that's better left to those with more diet knowledge. I have a dry shampoo at home which is for cats, but I use it on my pup from time to time, inbetween washes , it smells nice and does a good "cover up" till the next bath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Inky, check his mouth and his ears! A smell so strong that its back after a couple of days ain't normal. Has this pup been wormed? There is nothing wrong with the shampoo you are using - think I have a bottle of that in my cupboard. How accustomed are members of your family to dogs - I know of people who think All dogs smell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vehs Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 I agree with others and check his ears... little sniff and look for any brown/black build up -- if the smell is coming from there then a trip to the vet would be the best thing. He is rolling around in anything outside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 Baby shampoos are great. They are tearless. Also if you are using an adult strength shampoo he maybe getting irritated skin which can cause a smell. Probably try a seperate conditioner as well. PLus I used excel pet in the past and it doesn't work very well. Try a oatmeal or tea tree shampoo!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted September 2, 2004 Author Share Posted September 2, 2004 Thanks for the suggestions guys. His ears were checked by the vet on Saturday, and looking at them now, they still look pretty clean and pink. Mouth looks all right, doesn't seem to have bad breath. And I'd know, 'cause he washes my face several times a day. Has been wormed regularly. Not rolling around in anything outside. Nothing to roll in and no opportunity. Fenced in garden, and all potty breaks are taken on the leash, since I can't trust him not to chew the plants and run under the porch. :D Partner has never had pets before, so I could see him being less tolerant of doggy smell, but it's bothering ME, and I grew up on a farm. Not many animal smells bother me. I even find the smell of skunk and cow manure almost pleasant. So the puppy must really stink. :D Doesn't really smell like anything but dog. Just a really STRONG doggy smell. It's the smell I associate with doggy feet, 'cause that always seems to be the first part to stink when they're coming up on bathtime. His feet don't seem to stink any more than the rest of him tho. Having sniffed his various parts (yeah, don't laugh, I know it's a funny image), I think it might be his head after all. The Exelpet says to avoid eyes, so I think I'll run out and get something tearless and try again. Save the Exelpet for when he's older and stands still during his bath. Thanks again. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 2, 2004 Share Posted September 2, 2004 How to put this delicately..... Although it probably isn't, consider the possibility of "eau de dogue butt". If they've been licking their anal glands....well, you get the idea about the referred smell. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Thank you so much Rappie for making me choke on my cuppa. Oh yuck but oh how true. I copped a whiff of Tessa the other day when she had been closely inspecting her rear end... No cuddles for her that time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 Anytime :D Best not to be around a bunch of vet students at meal times then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aatainc Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 yeah, I was going to say get the anal glands checked! They can smell very offensive if the dog is discharging them due to impaction, infection or fear. And it's just a very doggie strong smell. Have your vet examine them perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted September 3, 2004 Author Share Posted September 3, 2004 Yeah? I never knew they smelled doggy. Woulda thought they'd smell... er, well, like poo. I think I can rule out impaction and fear, but infection would be another thing. If he still stinks after getting his head washed, it's off to the vet with him (I'm sure he'll be thrilled :D). Now, as to washing his head... If I gently rub his ears with a towel and park him by the heater afterwards, should he be OK? I really don't want the poor little guy getting an ear infection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kierrasmommy Posted September 3, 2004 Share Posted September 3, 2004 how did it go at the vet??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz and Amie Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 You can buy some good ear cleaner that you put a few drops in after a bath, and this cleans them and helps dry them as it contains alcohol. I also wipe out Fitz and Frosty's ears with a cotton bud, as I have had no luck getting the buds to stay in during the bath. Fitz and Frosty both have great ears, they have stayed clean and dry even though I give them a full bath every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted September 4, 2004 Author Share Posted September 4, 2004 Ahh, thanks for that FF&A. Hadn't heard of that one. Will have to try it out. Kierrasmommy, he hasn't been there yet. I got a puppy shampoo and I'm trying that first. I washed his head. I didn't get his snout very clean, 'cause he kept trying to lick my fingers, so he still smells slightly doggy, but hopefully it's helped some. Whatever the results, this HAS to be the last bath for a while. He's been scratching a lot, so I think his skin is drying out. Sardines in oil is good for that, isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz and Amie Posted September 4, 2004 Share Posted September 4, 2004 Sardines are great for that, I think there is also some kind of oil you can add to his food to help too. I can't think of the name (bit of a mental blank Sorry). I use a washer and a toothbrush for my boys face, as get quite a bit of eye build up which stains the white coats, and it is so good for cleaning to the skin. I also have a doggie scruber that is great for soaping the dogs up, and getting to the skin, it also stimulates the oils in the dogs coat, and helps heaps. Make sure all the soap is washed out, and that the dog is brushed before a bath to help remove any loose hairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star'n'Gizmo Posted September 7, 2004 Share Posted September 7, 2004 This is just another suggestion but is it possible he has a fungal infection on his skin? Gizmo and Star started getting really doggy smelling feet and it turned out to be a fungal infection. They don't normally smell doggy at all. The vet needed to do a scrape to make sure. When you described it as smelling like feet, it made me think of it. At the time, their feet would stink within hours of having a bath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maisy Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 Have you tried adding spinach to his diet? Just the frozen stuff you buy at the supermarket is fine. If you are close to an Aldi, they have frozen spinach cubes, makes it really easy to dole out. About a table-spoon should be enough, and it will take a couple of weeks to notice, but it does work. Also, when bathing him, try putting cotton wool in his ears to stop any water from getting in. Also I have heard that a couple drops of glycerine in the eyes helps to protect them from irritation too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladek9 Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 I was wondering how he was in the flea department. Has he been scratching at all. When a dog scratches it stimulates skin glands which can cause the smell as well. It doesnt matter how much you bath him, if he is scratching he will stink again soon after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisymina Posted September 9, 2004 Share Posted September 9, 2004 I used to use cotton wool to keep water out and dry afterwards. If the cotton wool is no good, it might be worth trying -- BLUE TACK. When one of my boys had grommits, the ENT specialist told me to use Blue Tack as ear plugs as it was better than even the most expensive devices available for the purpose (at the time, that is). cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted September 10, 2004 Share Posted September 10, 2004 An American breeder once told us a trick they use for the long-lingering smells after a dog's rolled in something or had a 'skunk attack' (& been bathed & all). Dilute some good quality mouth-wash & comb it thro' the coat. For anything that touches a dog's skin (or a human's), I always do a small patch test first...in case there's a reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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