Dog Skin Odor - Stinky Dog, What to Do?
OdorDog skin odoris a vexing problem faced by many dog owners. It is difficult to manage a foul smelling pet. Rectifying the problem by identifying the underlying cause will relieve both the pet and the dog owners from discomfort. Sometimes the bad odor may be due to serious causes which may affect the dog adversely if it is not treated immediately.
Skin infectionis the most significant cause in most cases of dog skin odor. The infection may be due to bacteria or yeast. In some cases oily skin can also cause bad odor. In a few cases the cause may be something as harmless as the dog getting the odor due to playing around and rolling itself in some foul smelling matter.
You have to first find the reason for the presence of bad odor and try to alleviate the cause. The best way is to consult a veterinarian to diagnose and treat your pet for its skin problems.
If the cause is only dirt sticking to the skin then a thorough cleaning with a non-allergic shampoo preferably an herbal one followed by a good conditioner will suffice. But if you suspect a skin infection there are various skin odor treatment options present.
If the dog skin odor is due to bacterial skin infection then it is characterized by itching sensation and in severe cases there are pustules which later drain forming sores. The bacterial skin infection is called as superficial pyoderma. When there is considerable amount of infection it is very painful and lesions can occur on the surface, inside the skin layer or beneath it also.
Sometimes the infection can affect the dog adversely so it is wise to detect it early and do the necessary treatment by consulting with your veterinarian. The topical treatment includes application of shampoo containing benzoyl peroxide and other similar type of medication. Antibiotics can also be effective and is recommended in some cases. The bacterial infection takes about three to four weeks to subside with the prescribed medications.
If the dog skin odor is found to be caused due to yeast infection the skin shows itchy patches that appear red and greasy accompanied by a very rancid odor. This type of yeast infection is also called as Malassezia dermatitis. The areas affected most are the ventral region of neck, the region around the anus and the groin area. When the infection is severe there is purulent discharge in the affected areas.
This type of infection can be treated with shampoos containing selenium sulfide. Nizoral shampoo is also an effective alternative. You can also bath your pet in water with added salt and vinegar. If these do not produce the desired result you can try the systemic drugs suggested by the dog's veterinarian.
Oily skin is also another cause for dog skin odor which is quite tiresome. Scales are formed on the skin surface due to excess oil secretion. Topical medicines and systemic drugs can be used to check the oil secretion.
When you find your pet has an offensive odor, make sure to get it properly treated before the infection gets out of control.
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