Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Wild Animal Wednesday! Skunks and Dogs

Curiosity killed the cat... or maybe the dog?  Dogs are infamous for putting their noses up to skunks.  If your dog gets sprayed try not to let him in the house.  First grab some old towels and a pair of rubber gloves.  Skunks usually spray dogs in the face, and sometimes eyes.  Check out your dog's eyes for signs of irritation.  They will most likely be red, but if they look extra irritated you may want to try rinsing them out with water.  In some cases you may want to call the vet if the irritation looks serious, or if your dog looks uncomfortable.  Be on the lookout for cuts or scratches from the skunk as well.  Most certainly call your vet if you think your dog has been scratched by a skunk (they can carry rabies). 

The reason the spray smells so strong is because it contains compounds called "thiols" which are composed of sulfurous chemicals.  The smell is very hard to get rid off, quite a nuisance!  There is a home remedy that will help dilute the smell.

In a bucket add 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 tsp. of dish soap.  Don't close off the container- it can explode because of the gas it creates.  You can also try subsituting the peroxide with vinegar (if you are worried that it will dye your dogs coat!).  Next, get your dog all wet with warm water and start applying the mixture.  And its very important not to get it in your pet's eyes, nose or mouth!!  Leave the mix on your dog's coat for about 5 or 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. 

Once you have given your dog a bath with the homemade mix, make an appointment with one of our groomers, we have a special deskunking shampoo.  It really helps!  Give us a call at 203-849-1010 and we will squeeze you in!!!

Reference- CT Wildlife Magazine

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