The Skunk astrophel Your Dog Got Sprayed at Night
The Skunk astrophel Your Dog Got Sprayed at Night.The serene calm of a late night backyard break is immediately obliterated. Your dog comes bolting back in, followed by an unavoidable and pungent cloud of odor that will make your eyes water and burn your nose. It’s not a skunk, it’s the skunk.
In the ensuing and panic-riddled chaos of the moment, a few seemingly benign choices may actually make things worse.
As a veterinarian and an advocate for proactive solutions, I’m here to help you navigate this odoriferous episode. Read on for my step-by-step, effective, no-panic guide for what to do when your dog gets skunked late at night.
Don’t Panic, and DO NOT Use Water First
The immediate urge you’ll probably have is to grab the garden hose. Do not do it; water is not your ally in this battle.
Skunk spray is an oily, sulfur compound called a thiol. This chemical has a powerful and pungent smell that adheres well to things. Spraying a wet dog actually spreads this oil all over their fur, and surprisingly, water itself could make these thiols even more difficult to break down and eliminate. Even the trusty tale of soaking them in tomato juice would only cover the odor and results in a skunked tomato-scented dog instead of a skunked, wet dog.
Step by Step: The Skunk astrophel Your Dog Got Sprayed at Night
1: Containment and Safety First
Prior to scrub down The dog: If so, take your dog to a confined area outdoors such as your backyard or garage. Do not allow your dog to run around your house. The dog is already rubbing and rolling in oily spray. The oily spray will transfer over your carpets, upholstery and bed.
Check for hazards: First, is to see any potential dangers. Skunk spray irritates your eyes, so look at your dogs eyes if he is squinting or has red, watery eyes it is a sign of contact. Take action as soon as possible, so throw on your gloves and flush out there eyes. Use sterile saline eyewash to clean the eyes. In order for the solution to properly flush out and remove all traces of spray, use an eye cup, and fill the eye cup with the saline.
If no saline eyewash is available, you may run under an eyewash fountain and if none is available you may rinse the eyes under a warm water bath or cup. Check there whole body for any bites. Skunks can be responsible for carrying disease so give your Vet a call with any visible signs of bite wounds.
The Nighttime Rescue The Krebaum Method
Now the good news there is a simple chemical mixture sitting in your kitchen pantry that has the power to take off just about any smell you cook with. Actually, there is a formula, invented by chemist Paul Krebaum, that actually uses science to get the job done – the chemistry of cooking, sort of. To take effect to max capacity this mixture has about 10 minutes so don’t delay!
The Recipe for Success
- 1 quart (4 cups) of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Make sure the bottle is fresh. An opened bottle loses its effectiveness over time .
- 1/4 cup Baking Soda
- 1-2 teaspoons of Liquid Dish Soap: Dawn is the classic choice as it cuts through the oil .
The De-Skunking Procedure
- Get ready and put on those rubber gloves and your favorite old, non-valuable clothing. The mixture has a way of changing the color of many fabrics and can especially strip the color from an animal’s coat, so the dark dog owners take note of this.
- Mix together in a bucket All ingredients in a clean, old bowl or bucket-no sealed bottles please-otherwise pressure from the chemical reaction can cause the bottle to explode when you apply it.
- Apply to DRY fur Work the solution deeply into your dog’s dry fur and coat, ensuring it is being applied to the face, chest and shoulders where the spray generally hits; however, do avoid getting it in the eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
- Allow it to sit Rub the solution thoroughly into the animal and leave it to sit on their fur for 5 to 10 minutes; this is needed to work on the compounds that cause the foul odor.
- Rinse off Rinse you dog completely in cool, fresh water.
- Shampoo and condition Follow with your regular, normal dog shampoo and conditioner. Dish soap alone will Strip away your dog’s natural coat oils from the Skunk spray, so it is needed that you restore and protect the skin of your pet through a conditioner; use conditioner sparingly once the odor has subsided as repetition of application of both methods can lead to drying of the animals skin.
When to Skip the DIY and Call the Vet
While skunk spray is annoying to most of us, skunk spray is an urgent medical issue for some pets. Go to your vet immediately if you observe any of these signs:
• Eye pain that persists (red eyes,squinting, pawing at eyes)
• Oral irritation ( excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing)
• Lethargy, weakness or pale gums (in rare cases, SkunkSpray exposure can lead to a life threatening anemia called Heinz Body Anemia).
Also Check: How to Use Coconut Oil for Dry Itchy Skin on Senior Cats?
Frequently Asked Question FAQs
Can I use regular dog shampoo?
No. Regular shampoo cannot break down the oily thiols in skunk spray. It may spread the smell and won’t neutralize it. You need a chemical reaction, like the peroxide/baking soda mix, or a specific commercial skunk odor shampoo .
Will tomato juice get rid of the smell?
No. Tomato juice is an old myth that doesn’t work. It may temporarily mask the odor, but it does nothing to neutralize the skunk’s chemical compounds and just leaves a mess .
Will the hydrogen peroxide mixture bleach my dog’s fur?
Yes, it can. This is a common side effect of the treatment, especially on black or dark-colored dogs. The fur may lighten but is not toxic and will grow out .
Is skunk spray dangerous?
Yes, it can be. It is a potent irritant that can cause eye damage, respiratory issues, and severe gastrointestinal distress. In rare cases, it can cause life-threatening anemia .
What if my dog got sprayed in the face?
Rinse their eyes immediately with sterile saline eye wash or lukewarm water. Be extremely careful not to get the peroxide mixture in their eyes. Monitor them closely for signs of pain or irritation, and call your vet for advice .
Do I need to worry about rabies?
Yes. Skunks are a known carrier of rabies. If you suspect your dog was bitten, or if they are not up-to-date on their rabies vaccination, contact your vet immediately .
How long will the smell last?
With the correct treatment, the smell should be neutralized immediately and after a thorough wash. If you use water first, the smell can be locked in and last for weeks or months .
My dog is drooling and vomiting. What should I do?
Do not try to treat this at home. These are signs that they have ingested the spray or had a severe reaction. Take them to a veterinary clinic or emergency animal hospital immediately .
Can skunk spray be harmful to my dog’s skin?
Yes, it can cause irritation, redness, and inflammation. It can also be a skin allergen. The oily nature of the spray can also clog pores and cause issues if left on too long .
How can I prevent this from happening again?
Secure your trash cans, avoid leaving pet food outside, and remove brush piles or wood piles from your yard that could act as a den . When letting your dog out at night, turn on the lights and make some noise to scare any skunks away .
