Skunks

[caro]

If you have just got your first Ridgeback at some time in the not too distant future you will undoubtedly have to deal with a skunked Ridgeback.  It seems like they never learn.

This morning, as I do every morning, I took the house dogs out in the back fields for their morning run.  Cat never can wait for me to open the gate and always ducks under the gate.  This morning she spied the skunk long before I reached the gate and the game was on.  The skunk escaped into the woods under the fence and of course she followed but luckily the fence stopped the other two who are a little less agile.  I spied her following the skunk up the path through the woods at a respectful distance, but not before she had received her dose of spray.  Long story short, she came back very pleased with herself for chasing off the "intruder" but the other dogs didn't want to have anything to do with her (and neither did I but I had no choice!).  So before breakfast I had to put her under the hose and bathe her thoroughly. 

I thought it might be useful to repeat the skunk recipe I got some years back from my vet.  I think it originates from the U. of Georgia, but I may be wrong and it has been around a long time.  It does work, at least it is more effective than tomato juice.

Here it is:

1 qt. 3 percent Hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp. liquid soap

Bathe well.

Hope you will never have to use it, but it is useful to be prepared.

Caroline

[oscarsmom]

Caroline,
this recipe just came up on another forum I'm on - not in relation to skunk smell, but that of a dead animal that a dog had rolled in. Apparently, it worked when NOTHING else even put a dent in the putrid stink!! I'd say that's a great endorsement and I'll be keeping it in my records for the day Oscar gets himself good and smelly.

Thanks!!

-Natalya

[Julie]

I can vouch for the fact that this recipe works. I had to use it last year on Jamaa. Since that incident, I keep a big supply of hydrogen peroxide on hand with a copy of this recipe taped to the bottle.

Julie, Jamaa & Jordi

[k9crazyrr]

I have also had the joy of the recipe.  Tanzi goes running at night on a local golf course sometimes.  She has more than once found the skunk. 

Angie

[jnridgebck]

I have also had the pleasure of a nicely timed Skunking!  Macy got skunked and I used the above recipe.  It didn't take the smell completely away but it did help alot.  She still stinks if she gets wet and it has been about a month now.  I don't have a sense of smell so it is not a big deal to me! 
 Last week I took her to a Show and Go agility match.  It was hot and after our run she jumped in the wading pool and laid down.  Then I went and put her in her soft side crate.  I sat down next to some friends and soon they were saying "Is that a skunk?"  I sat there as long as I could before I finally admitted it was my dog!  HA!

Ragan and the Stinky Brittany   

[AliCap]

This may sound stupid, but does the peroxide lighten their coat - - - temporarily???

alice

[Julie]

Alice, that's exactly what I was worried about - but I did not notice a difference after using the peroxide.  I think you rinse it out quickly enough that it doesn't bleach their hair.  Not to give away my personal beauty secrets or anything  but I used it once or twice  on my own hair (a long time ago) and it certainly made a difference so I'm not sure why it didn't have the same effect on Jamaa.

Julie

[caro]

Didn't notice Cat getting much lighter in color and i scrubbed her really hard.  But it didn't stay on very long.  I can still smell the skunk, but not on her coat so I think she may have got hit in the mouth.  Not sure what you do about that.
Caroline

[Breezybare]

  Maybe let her drink tomato juice! 

Sabrina

[jnridgebck]

It did lighten my liver and white Brittany.  She has a tendency to sun bleach anyway but it did lighten her coat slightly.  I don't think it would do the same with a RR coat though.

[caro]

The skunk saga continues.  I was away all day and when I got back, my husband informs me that no less than two skunks have taken up residence in my garden!  I saw one tonight feeding on my front lawn.  I chased it off (at a respectable distance I may add) and it disappeared under the woodshed.  I just hope it doesn't decide to nest under the kennel.  I suppose if that happens I will have to call Animal Control and set traps.  Living in the middle of the woods has its hazards!  Actually skunks can be very nice pets IF their scent glands are removed.  Years ago I knew one that used to accompany his owner, a grade schooler, to class.  The skunk's name was Arpege!

Caroline

[Rosebud]

Caro while I know it cant be funny to have to deal with skunks I have to laugh while I sit here with images of Pepe le Phew and a pack of rrs

[Keeper]

Alice, that's exactly what I was worried about - but I did not notice a difference after using the peroxide.  I think you rinse it out quickly enough that it doesn't bleach their hair.  Not to give away my personal beauty secrets or anything  but I used it once or twice  on my own hair (a long time ago) and it certainly made a difference so I'm not sure why it didn't have the same effect on Jamaa.

Julie

The peroxide should be the medicinal type known as Hydrogen Peroxide...not the bleach for hair.  However, even the HP will lighten...great for stains that have resisted everything else.      
I believe there is a De-Skunk recipe in the forum...don't remember where.  Try using the search feature.  I do sympathize with all who have had to deal with the Skunked dogs.
Sandra

Sandra

[melissap]

Hey ladies,

I have had 1 Skunk experience and regretfully the dog had made it into the house and rolled around on my carpet prior to the anyone catching his now really putrid stench 

I used natures miracle, then a 2nd bath in tomato juice and then HP to bathe this guest of ours ~ The smell in the house took several cleanings to work out!

All ended well, but removing the skunk spray is a HUGE job!

Have a great day!

Melissa P

 

[caro]

Well, it turned out that the two skunks were just babies.  One sadly was killed by something and found dead in the field.  He didn't look like he had been injured, but it is possible he was bitten by a snake or perhaps he tried to eat a poisonous spider of which we seem to have quite a few.  The other one we trapped and brought out into the woods some distance away thinking he would find a new home.  He turned up back at the house several hours later.  Then disappeared only to reappear as I was taking the girls out for their morning walk and wouldn't  you know Cat got sprayed again! She never learns.  This time, though it must have been only in her face because her body was clean.  Out came the hydrogen peroxide, baking Soda and soap and luckily it worked again.  I haven't seen the skunk again for the last few days, so I hope he has realized that he isn't welcome!  Skunked twice in one week is a little much!

Caroline

[melissap]

You have definetly had your fair share of them this year! We have a coyote here in our neighborhood, but I have yet to see a skunk since we moved from our last house. I am sure they are out there, just not as many as I had before! They were very prevalent near our old house & I am not sure I like the trade off of a coyote, but it is here to stay!

Good luck with your skunk relocation! You must have a good garden

MP