My Dog Was Skunked!
My Dog Was Skunked!
We have a Golden Retriever. He is very playful and curious. This is his favorite time of the year. He enjoys pouncing on leaves and chasing them and watching the squirrels and chipmunks. This past Friday night Shadow was in our vehicle with us. We let Shadow out of the vehicle to let him do his business before going into the house. When he came back, we knew who he ran into.
He Was Skunked!
Behavior Of A Skunk When Encountered
When a skunk is startled it will make a peculiar purring sound, sometimes growling. Before emitting its sulphuric spray (mercaptan) in self-defense, it will warn its target by raising its tail, standing on its hind legs and stomping its front feet. The mercaptan it sprays not only carries a terrible odor but, if it hits the eyes, will bling the skunk’s target for up to two days. The skunk’s spray is not only extremely foul smelling, but it is very hard to get out of a dogs fur. Your dog may smell for quite sometime if you do not act quickly. A fresh spray smells so bad it burns your nose. If you or your pet gets sprayed it is important to work quickly to get the skunk oil out and neutralized. If you do not act quickly the smell can last up to 2 years!
First Aid
First check to see if your pet was injured by the skunk. If your pet is bleeding or appears to have been bitten, consult a vet immediately. Skunks may carry rabies. If vaccinated, your dog is safe from the rabies virus.
Forget the tomato juice, vinegar or mouthwash. The effectiveness of these methods are questionable and it is said that the tomato juice will leave your dogs coat all red. These seem to just mask the odor- it doesn’t remove the smell. Usually pets take a hit in the neck area. Typically they are sprayed while provoking the skunk and turn their head, while being sprayed, in order to avoid it.
When you have pets, and children even if you are safe accidents happen! What do you do when your pet gets skunked?
What To Do Before You Bathe Your Skunked Pet
- Before handling your pet, you may want to put on some old clothes. Skunk spray is actually an oil and is very difficult to remove from clothing. Do not let your pet get on furniture or on it’s bedding, or the skunk oils will get onto them.
- If possible, leave your pet outside on a leash or in your garage to prevent the odor ridden oils from getting into the house.
- Determine where the spray hit your pet. Depending on your pet’s hair type, you may be able to trim away or comb out some of the affected hair.
- You can use paper towels to soak up the oils from the coat before you begin washing. If you use a real towel you will most likely have to toss it as the oils may not come out 100% and your towel may smell for a long time. Be careful not to spread the oils from one part of your pet to another. Only wipe where the oils are already to avoid making the problem worse.
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Sorry about the stink..but good info here,,thanx….As always…XOXOXOX
Thanks, Shadow is embarrassed he said, because I told the whole world about what happened to him. He especially didn’t like it when I told everyone about the douche I put on his head!
Skunk spray is a scent that I just can’t handle. If one of our dogs gets sprayed, which hasn’t been in a long time knock on wood, I have a difficult time getting close enough to do anything about it. I definitely have to call in hubby for his assistance
Me too! I can’t stand it as well. It was a huge challenge to wash him. Very interesting!!
Hi Cathy:
Love the picture of Shadow. Sorry to hear he got skunked. Thanks for the important info on what to do if this happens to one of our kids. You’re a font of information.
Keep it up!
–
Chris
Thanks Chris, just passing along my experience. I love that shot of Shadow too! He is so cute, but he knows it.
Good tips lol I am so glad I never had to worry about this.. I had a dog attacked by a raccoon but never a skunk!! Up to two years wow never realized that!!!
http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/10/photographing-love-in-spring-time-and.html
Raccoons can be mean. When I was a kid I had one for a pet for about a year. My father found him, his mother was hit by a car, so he kinda became my pet until he started getting old enough to go back into the wild.
Shadow seems like such a lovely fellow. Poor fellow! Am I glad we don’t have skunks in India!
Wow! You live in India!!! That’s amazing! Ya, Shadow is my buddy.