DOG CARE

STINKY DOG SYNDROME

July 21, 2023

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STINKY DOG SYNDROME

Dog owners often complain about their dog’s odor. It is important to recognize that dog odors have many sources, both natural and un-natural.

Natural Dog Odors

Dogs naturally produce secretions that enable other dogs to recognize them by smell as dogs and as individuals. Unfortunately, people do not always appreciate these odors! Natural dog odors are most prominent near the anus, near the ears, and around the footpads.

Skin Glands: Dogs do not produce sweat to cool off. However, dogs do have sweat glands, called apocrine glands, associated with each group of hairs. Apocrine glands likely produce pheromones, or chemical signals, for communication with other dogs.

Dogs also have another type of sweat glands, called eccrine glands, on the pads of their paws and on their noses, which help keep these areas moist and functioning properly. On the paw pads, natural micro-organisms live in the surface layers and contribute to the paw’s typical odor – like cheese puff snacks or Fritos! This odor is much more noticeable on dogs with moist paw pads than on those with dry pads.

Dogs also have numerous glands, called ceruminous glands and sebaceous glands, in their external ear canals. Together these two sets of glands produce natural ear wax, or cerumen. Micro-organisms live naturally in this material and give the ears a slightly yeasty odor even when ears may be healthy.

Dogs, like all carnivores, have two scent glands called anal sacs that communicate with the surface of the skin by ducts that open on either side of the anus. They produce a natural secretion that varies from thin and yellowish to pasty and grayish. Anal gland secretions may have a very strong musty odor. A small amount of this material is normally deposited when dogs defecate and a large amount may be extruded when a dog is frightened. This secretion is thought to leave a signal to other dogs telling them who left fecal deposit. This odor is also the signal being sampled when strange dogs investigate one another by sniffing out the anal area.

Another source of odor that can be considered natural results from a common dog behavior. Dogs like to roll in and mark themselves with animal products in their environment, including fecal deposits of natural prey animals. One of their favorites is rabbit droppings. This might be a method of communicating with pack members about the other animals that are active in the pack home territory, a behavior left over from ancestor wolves.

Is My Dog Battling a Serious Health Condition?

The pungent smell is more common in geriatric dogs (old dogs) with age-related diseases and ailments such as bowel disorder, cancer, oral infection, and anal sac problem.

However, it’s uncommon for pups and adult canines to start to smell like senior dogs when they haven’t been diagnosed with any severe ailments.

Canines like a bulldog, sharpies, and pugs have overlapping folds in the skin. Over time, these folds will retain moisture and start growing microorganisms that result in unusual odor. A thorough and regular cleaning solution will rid their skin of excess moisture and prevent odors.

In some dogs, the unusual stench could result from dermatitis or fungal infection easily treatable with medications.

To make matters simple, here are seven prominent reasons why your dog started smelling unusually bad.

Dental Problems

The dental problem such as periodontal disease is common in adult dogs that cause smelly breath. By the age of three, 80% of dogs develop gum disease that increases as they get older.

The disease may begin when bacteria in an unkempt mouth combine with food particles to form plaques. The minerals found in the saliva bond with these plaques to form tartar resulting in deteriorating gum line producing toxins and pungent smell.

Without immediate treatment, this can lead to bone and tissue damage and dental infection.

Another dental problem-specific in dogs is Gingival Hyperplasia, the overgrowth of the gums that can harbor food residue and produce a rotten smell.

Boxers, Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, and Great Danes are more prone to this oral disease.

Solution:

Take your dog to the vet for a dental checkup every six months, or add it to the annual wellness check. Diagnosing underlying dental problems in time will solve them before they become serious.
Your dog might require tooth extraction, gum surgery, or a thorough cleaning depending on the dental problem.
Brush your dog’s teeth every day, and offering them safe toys and treats will also help keep their oral hygiene in check.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence or lack of bladder control is common in aged dogs that can cause a foul smell in dogs.

They are more prone to develop weaker bladder and bladder infections over time, causing muscles in the urinary tract to weaken. Without bladder control, urine leaks onto their fur, producing a stench.

The condition continues occurring more frequently in senior spayed females than male dogs.

Certain dog breeds are more likely to contract urinary incontinence, including the springer, cocker spaniel, Old English sheepdog, and Doberman pinscher.

Solution:

Your vet will prescribe medication to strengthen your dog’s sphincter muscle for better urine control or offer hormonal therapy. Sometimes it could be a sign of kidney disease.
Proin ER (phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride extended-release) is recommended for dogs with incontinence.
Using doggie diapers will prevent the urine from leaking into the fur.
Maintain proper hygiene and give regular baths to prevent skin infection and foul smell.

Kidney disease

Dogs suffering from kidney disease cannot eliminate toxins from their bloodstream, which gives an ammonia-like odor to their breath.

Kidney-related diseases are much more frequent in elderly pets, but this doesn’t mean an adult dog couldn’t get one.

Bad breath is the first sign of underlying kidney disease in dogs. You would know this by a metallic odor present in their breath. Other grave signs include

Excess thirst and water consumption
Increased urination
Dull coat
Appetite loss
Mouth soreness
Vomiting

Solution:

If you catch these early signs, take your dog to the nearest vet.
Dogs with kidney disease are prescribed a special kidney diet, a diet reduced in phosphorus, protein, acid, and sodium and supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil.
For chronic kidney diseases, a kidney transplant is recommended.

Diabetes

Dogs diagnosed with late-stage diabetes may produce a distinctive odor that smells like a nail polish remover.

A complex disorder of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism results from a relative or absolute insulin deficiency or peripheral cell insensitivity to Insulin characterized by high blood glucose concentrations, commonly known as Diabetes mellitus.

It is common in many adults and aged dogs. They are unable to produce or regulate Insulin, hence failing to use the food properly. It can cause the body to weaken and lead to a disorder.

Solution:

Your vet may suggest diet change, lifestyle change, oral medications, exercise, and Insulin.
Administering Insulin is the most effective way to control diabetes in dogs.

Skin Infection

A dog may experience different kinds of skin infections throughout its life. Severe skin infections may produce a foul and distinctive smell.

Secondary bacterial infections from constant scratching are common in dogs with eczema. The scratching encourages bacteria to break into the skin through cracks and produce a nasty smell.

Dogs with wrinkly skin, such as bulldogs, can attract fold dermatitis caused by constant moisture and warmth.

Canine seborrhea is another skin condition that results in a cheese-like smell due to the buildup of sebum and yeast on their skin.

Solution:

Your vet may administer an antibiotic, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate, to treat bacterial infections and skin diseases.
A homemade therapy for itchy skin includes bathing your dog with a solution of water blended with baking soda.
Oral antibiotics may help treat or prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Anal Sac Issues

Dogs with anal sac infection or impactions may produce a foul stench, often described as a “fishy smell.”

The anal sacs are two small glands located on either side of the dog’s rectum. If they become impacted, it can lead to anal sac rupture and forms an abscess.

Dragging their bottom on the ground, scooting, and excess licking of the anal can lead to anal sac infections.

Solution:

Your vet may administer pain relief medications like meloxicam to control swelling and inflammation of anal sacs.
An antibiotic like Clindamycin is prescribed orally or sometimes instilled into the anal sacs.
Regular cleaning of the anal sac with 0.25% Chlorhexidine or 0.4% Povidone-iodine solutions is also recommended.
Applying warm compresses to the anal sac area twice daily also helps to reduce inflammation and pain.

Flatulence

Flatulence is common in many dogs that cause terrible gas. Occasional burping, gurgling, and flatulence are normal, but excessive gas could indicate a problem.

It mainly occurs when your dog eats something it is not supposed to, such as certain food items, rubber toys, clothes, etc.

Sometimes, the diet change could also cause flatulence.

Solution:

You should avoid feeding table scraps, dairy products, and other fart-inducing foods to dogs.
Your vet may recommend diet changes, such as grain-free or fish-based.
Oral medication like Simethicone or an antacid also helps reduce dog farts.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Stinking?

Except for medical conditions, you can use household remedies to prevent your dog from smelling.

Brush their teeth daily. Use canine-friendly toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Wipe your dog’s coat with dog wipes or baby wipes to keep them fresh and deodorized.
Brush your dog regularly to remove dirt, dander, and allergens.
Consider grooming at a regular interval of time.
Use dry dog shampoo when bathing it.
Their keep bedding, food bowl, and toys clean.

Un-natural Sources of Odor on Pet Dogs

Poor grooming: Some dogs, especially those with long, thick or corded hair, need regular grooming. A coat that is not kept clean and groomed can trap dirt and other substances with unpleasant odors. If a dog’s haircoat is chronically wet, it can harbor lots of bacteria and yeast.

Skin diseases: Dogs with allergies (allergic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis) may have a musty odor. This is because allergies can cause increased sweating (hyperhidrosis), bacterial skin infections (bacterial dermatitis or pyoderma) and yeast skin infections (Malassezia dermatitis). Dogs with seborrhea, a type of keratinization defect, and dogs with deep skin folds are also prone to bacterial and yeast skin infections.

Ear diseases: Ear infections, or otitis are a common source of odor in dogs. The smell can be yeasty or actually smell like sewage.

Anal sac diseases: Excessive anal gland secretion can result in a musty, pungent odor. Anal sacs can also become abscessed or infected, with bacteria or yeast organisms then producing an odor.

Dental disease: Various dental diseases can cause bad breath, or halitosis. Dental calculus harbors numerous bacteria that produce odor. Dental disease can also lead to excessive drooling, causing the skin around the mouth to become infected and odiferous.

Medications: Some medications, especially antibiotics or medicated shampoos, have odors that owners may find unpleasant. Chlorhexidine is a common disinfectant incorporated in skin medications that some people find has an unpleasant smell.

Diet: Some dog foods based on fish meal or with added fish oil can make for fishy-smelling dogs.

Flatulence: The overproduction of intestinal gas can be a problem for some dogs. This may be diet-related or a sign of gastrointestinal disease.

Skunks: Dogs and skunks don’t mix well and a dog may be sprayed in the encounter. This results in an over-powering musky acrid odor that remains apparent in the ‘skunked’ dog’s coat for many days or even weeks until steps are taken to neutralize the odor.