Dogs and Skunks

[Barefoot]

Yes, our 63 lb Lollipop (rescue dog) decided to tango with a skunk at 1 am in the morning. :yuck: Thankfully our little dog, Biggins, was inside at the time. Fireboy was working. I made the mistake of bringing Lolli inside while I decided what to do. Never, ever do this! I know better, having had this problem before. But I was befuddled and forgot that important rule.

So then I raced Lolli outside. And spent the next two hours with a flashlight washing her down. I didn't have tomato juice so first I washed her with Bloody Ceasar Mix. (Those of you from the northern east coast will be familiar with bloody ceasars). Next I tried the old half-bottle I had of "Skunk Off", previously obtained from a Vet's office during another skunk emergency. That was totally useless. Then I found some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide so I tried that solution next. It actually worked best, but there is still a lingering odour.

Anything else I can try .. any magic recipes for getting rid of the skunk smell? Or is it just a matter of time? I realize I could take her to the groomers and get her hair all buzzed off, but I'd like her to have some curly hair if possible. The dog is now at the cottage with Fireboy for a couple of days while I air out the house.

Oh, by the way, if anyone is looking for a large rescue dog, smelling a bit skunky, I can Fed Ex her to you immediately.

[Halle]

Hi Bare,

The only think I know for sure is that tomato juice doesn't work.:cus:

Many years ago when we lived in Green Cove Springs, Florida my two wonderful Labradors were sprayed by a skunk. Well I had been told to use tomato juice, so off I went to the nearest store 9 miles away to buy tomato juice. I poured gallons of tomato juice on them and worked it into their fur all I ended up with was two Labradors that smelled of skunk and tomato juice.

Of course they had the last laugh as they had also brought the dead skunk home, they won that fight. They just couldn't understand why I wasn't thrilled with the gift. :cus:

[Donna]

Hey Bare...Try to use white vinegar..My German Shepherd Toby did that too and I used the vinegar..I found it worked best!!!

Good Luck!

[Donna]

Oh, by the way, if anyone is looking for a large rescue dog, smelling a bit skunky, I can Fed Ex her to you immediately.

http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/laugh3.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[Boomer]

Barefoot,

We fought that smell many years ago when our dog Mandy, who was a big one, did battle with a skunk. All we knew to use then was tomato juice and the smell did linger for sure.

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(Note: Just did an edit here. I found the de-skunk concoction info and will post it below.)

Boomer

[JeanneBeannie]

Oh Bare....I truly sympathize with you! The smell is beyond belief!!
Few years ago I had the wonderful experience as you did, and it was hot with no air in sight anytime soon lol. We tried the tomato juice...didnt work either, the vinegar definitely worked and helped alot, then someone told me about herbal shampoo...and that helped tremendously!!!
From my experience it took a few days to get rid of the smell, since then they have the drill lol...and they are fine with it...no going out after dark unless its an emergency!! Lol...so sorry this happened...dont cut off the curly locks...it will go away very soon.

[Boomer]

OK, when I said I did not know for sure about that third ingredient in this concoction and that I would track down the info so I could post it correctly, I was right. I did not know for sure. So I edited the post above, and I am putting the info here.

It's the one with the hydrogen peroxide and the baking soda and the dishwashing soap. The person who told me about this uses a lot more hydrogen peroxide than baking soda in the solution. She adds liquid dishwashing soap to get the suds and help spread it through the coat. -- (This is starting to sound like chemistry class to me. Must have something to do with acids and bases and all that stuff.)... I have never done this myself. My geriatric dog Annie has never tangled with a skunk so I have not had to use this. I sure hope she does not take up skunking now at the age of 15 and a half. But I am going to keep the ingredients on hand, just in case.

(Seems like the dog's face would be hard to get to without getting it in the eyes. And I bet the face takes a lot of the hit from the skunk. I guess dabbing the face with one paper towel after another might work. Using each one just one time and then pitching it so as not to put the smell back on.)

Barefoot, this sounds like what you must have already used. I got it from a major dog lover who lives where her dogs have adventures in skunking from time to time. She says that it works and she also uses it for regular baths if the dogs are just plain stinky.

Boomer

[njbchbum]

the recipie from weather.com remedies states:
"Another home remedy that can cut down on odor is a mixture made of one teaspoon of dish washing liquid and one cup of baking soda dissolved in one quart of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent strength). After thoroughly soaking your pet in the mixture, rinse him with clean tap water."

I'd also call your vet or a local animal shelter to find out if they can suugest a commercial application that might be available - if only for future insurance! Might be easier than keeping all of those ingredients around the house!

[F16 1UB]

Bare,

First of all I'm sorry that Lollipop would get tangled up with a skunk. Teddy is much to smart to mingle with something like that. He'd much rather run at the dog park, jump in the little plastic kiddie pool, then roll in the sand. And I'm not laughing. Much!:1rotfl:

Maybe you might ask Fumar. I'm sure he has a solution. :a20: Bloody Mary Mix. :a20: Hell ya might as well get a bottle of vodka while you're at it.

[swrinfla]

I do like F16's solution!

Ages and ages ago (like maybe 60 years or so!), our dog (I was afraid to call him "mine") had a run-in with a skunk under the house! Mother used the old tomato juice remedy, which seemed to work reasonably well on the dog, BUT THE HOUSE STANK FOR WEEKS!

There seemed to be absolutely no solution to that problem. I think the poor dog found himself under "house arrest" for the rest of the summer! And, there weren't anywhere near as many guests! :pepper2:

SWR
:beer3:

[Barefoot]

Well, I've learned two things today.

Last night I bathed Twisted Sister in the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda/dishwater detergent mix. But I should have finished off with a rinse in vinegar .. thanks Donna. (By the way, the dog is named Lollipup, but when bad, her name changes to Twisted Sister).

And secondly, I tried washing the skunky towels today in the washing machine with detergent and bleach. I guess the skunk spray must have amonia in it. Combined with the bleach, the towels came out smelling even skunkier. I washed them again with detergent, baking soda and vinegar. Aaaah, much better.

Oh yes, and I've learned that drinking the Bloody Ceasar mix with vodka would have been much more beneficial at 2 AM than washing the dog in it.

F16, as part of her courtship ritual, I will personally see to it that Lolli teaches Teddy how to chase skunks and roll in evil smelling residue. ;)

[Casino]

Bare
We had the same experience with our sheltie, Casino. We tried everything that everyone here has stated. We called the vet and he said the best thing was fabric softner. Make sure you do not get any in their face...and they do not lick it off. Wet the dog down with the fabric softner and let dry. Then rinse...you should have a better smelly dog. As from experience, the skunk smell will stay for away but not as strong as day 1. good luck....

[Donna]

Bare..I forgot to mention, every time he gets wet, you will smell http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/xanimal_tinyskunk2.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[Yoda]

Use a good feminine hygiene produce. (Douche). We tried tomato juice and as a result, we will never drink tomato juice again. Our vet / groomer in New England turned us on to the cure. It was not perfect but it was the best that we found.

Yoda

[Barefoot]

Bare
We had the same experience with our sheltie, Casino. We tried everything that everyone here has stated. We called the vet and he said the best thing was fabric softner. Make sure you do not get any in their face...and they do not lick it off. Wet the dog down with the fabric softner and let dry. Then rinse...you should have a better smelly dog. As from experience, the skunk smell will stay for away but not as strong as day 1. good luck....

Hey Joann, thanks for the suggestion. Fabric softner is a solution that is new to me. I'm thinking that the vinegar wash followed by fabric softner might be good to try. And should make her curls soft and bouncy!

[nONIE]

Bare, I agree with yoda, this is a tad embarrassing, but I found that the best thing that works for skunkiness is Messengil powder ,well you know . It was recommended by a vet a long time ago and IT WORKS!!!!:o

[Hancle704]

Use a good feminine hygiene produce. (Douche). We tried tomato juice and as a result, we will never drink tomato juice again. Our vet / groomer in New England turned us on to the cure. It was not perfect but it was the best that we found.

Yoda

After a few hours of trying to de-scent Heidi, our mixed Lab/Shep/Malamute who ran head on into the blast from a skunk, with everything we could find (tomato juice, ginger ale, beer, iced tea, after shave, cologne and lots of soap and water, we were advised by a relative the following day whose dog had a similar encounter, to keep a few Massingail Douche packages available for future use. Can't say we ever needed them because I think our dog learned a valuable lesson and never got close to another skunk for the rest of her life.

[The Great Fumar]

I find that if you mix one part water to 5 parts Nitro Glycerin and that send him out to play frisbee ........
when he's done there will be your dog, and over there will be your dog and a little over here , and a ............

allways glad to help, Fumar .........:beer3:

ps might try a little Fels Naptha soap and make a paste.....I don't mean on the dog , I mean on the skunk ..Mom always used it on us and it helped........
Haven't seen the skunk in years...........fu

[Barefoot]

I find that if you mix one part water to 5 parts Nitro Glycerin and that send him out to play frisbee ........
when he's done there will be your dog, and over there will be your dog and a little over here , and a ............



Fumar, you are always so very helpful! Life just wouldn't be complete without your tender words of advice. :a20:

Nonie, Hancle and Yoda can't all be wrong ... Messengil douche, really? :yuck:

[Taltarzac]

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-skunk-smell-on-dogs.htm

Hope there are not too many skunks wandering around the Villages. Have only smelled them here rarely.

[oot]

I know there is a product from Shure Pets that people claim works well. Not sure if anyone down there sells the products.