Skin odor especially in dogs can be quite annoying and this is a common problem faced by many dog owners. The bad odor may upset you but if you come to know of the causative factor you will be more distressed. Dog skin odor cannot be simply ignored or considered as a minor problem that can be overlooked.
In majority of dog skin odor cases the underlying cause is mostly due to skin infection. The foul odor that emanates from the dog is caused by either a bacterial infection or a yeast infection. Dogs that have an oily skin are also prone to get bad odor.
The foul odor may also be due to some harmless cause like the dog rolling into something that reeks of bad odor. This has to be ruled out before you get the dog checked for an infection. The dirt that sticks to the dog can be removed by bathing it with a mild non-allergic herbal shampoo and conditioner.
Bacterial infection in dogs can be manifested in the skin as superficial pyoderma. Though the mild forms of this infection is due to the normal bacterial flora present in the dog, when it becomes severe the condition can be quite painful. The pyoderma skin infection can affect the outer layer of skin, within the skin or under the skin surface.
The dogs which get this skin infection usually have itching and as the infection gets worse the skin exhibits pustules or pimples which when untreated becomes draining sores. The health of the dog can be affected adversely due to this infection if it is not diagnosed early and treated properly.
Skin odor treatment for pyoderma can be done either systemically or topically and in some cases both forms are used. Topical treatment consists of using a shampoo with benzoyl peroxide or similar medications in it. This will take care of the skin infection. In case of severe forms antibiotics are needed. Sometimes a combination of both is given for serious cases. The treatment duration generally extends up to three or four weeks.
In some cases the skin odor can be caused due to yeast infection which is termed as Malassezia dermatitis. The skin has a rancid odor with visible red, greasy and itchy blotches. The ventral neck region, groin and peri-anal areas are mostly affected. In severe cases purulent discharge that is foul smelling can be seen.
Treatment for this type of infection includes using shampoos with selenium sulfide or Nizoral shampoo. A bath with salt and vinegar added to it will also help to some extent. If the topical treatment is not effective systemic drugs can be used to cure the infection.
In some cases of dog skin odor the cause may be due to oily skin. This starts as scaly skin in the elbow, hock and the ear region. Treatment consists of topical medications that reduce the oily secretion. In severe cases systemic drugs can be given. Retinoids or vitamin A supplements can also be tried.
Finding the root cause and treating it appropriately will help to get rid of odor and relieve your dog from further distress.
