Skunked!!

[LoveMySadie]

Last night we were giving a dinner party, so the dogs spent the evening in their crates. About 10:45 we let them outside in the back yard and started cleaning up. I heard barking and raced to call them in since 11:00 is way too late for backyard barking! They rushed in the house, covered with skunk aroma! They had had an altercation, and Hank had a big scrape on his nose along with his perfume. He definitely got the worst of it.

So, at 11:30 last night we're outside bathing dogs. They'd already been in the house, and we had immediately confined them to their crates while we were making sure that the skunk was gone, so the beds were contaminated...and to some extent, the whole house!

After their baths, I took their beds outside to air overnight and put them back in the crates with old towels as cushions. This morning I'm washing the bedding and towels, and Hank will get another bath this afternoon. Neither had the telltale yellow oil in their coats so neither took a direct hit.

We really can't open the windows (see previous grumpy posts about the weather). I've got candles burning and the exhaust fan on in the kitchen. Most of the smell is downstairs in the kitchen/family room/office area where their crates are. Any suggestions for hurrying the de-odorizing process along? It's not unbearable, but it's definitely there.

The culprits are currently outside, airing out themselves! :SWOON:

Leslie

[Penutsma]

:BIGLAUGH:
It's been 39 years to the date since I had to deal with a dog that got 'skunked'!! LOL LOL LOL Thank you for making today a funny one! I know it's not funny to you, but you will laugh at this story.

On the night of my 17th birthday, my parents took my sister and me out for dinner. We had just moved into base housing in Omaha, NE. When we got home, our dog - Fluffy (white terrier/poodle mix) was gone. I was devastated. Sometime during the night, Fluffy found his way home. He had the 'Big' adventure that every dog dreams of in a new home.

Unfortunately for the kids next door, who were 'camping' in the backyard, Fluffy could not get back into his home! He crawled into the tent with them! Three teary-eyed kids rang our doorbell around 3am, holding a VERY smelly Fluffy asking my parents if this was our missing dog! LOL LOL He had taken the full shot from the skunk!

Fluffy spent the night in the tool shed and was bathed three times by you-know-who in tomato juice the next day. He was a pink dog for several days as the tomato juice stained his coat, but he didn't smell anymore! Sooooo glad he didn't make it into the house as he slept in my bed!

[Jespah]

That's awful! Poor Sadie, Hank and you guys! :SHOCKED:

I don't know that there is much you can do to help the smell dissipate quickly other than candles - especially since it's too hot to open the place up. "NO:":

Is there one window that you can put a fan into to pull the air out of the house? That might at least help the air move through the house a little better.

I hope things improve very soon!

Deb

[kathyl]

Stinkiness! Have never had that experience that goodness, although, my dogs love a good smelly roll.

[LoveMySadie]

So now both dogs have had 3 baths, one using the famous hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, dish soap formula...all bedding has been washed and sun dried...all furniture in the family room and office (dogs' crate room) has been Fabreezed...Christmas potpourri is simmering on the stove (oranges, cinnamon, spruce berries, etc)...a fan blowing air out an open window in the office (that door is closed)...the vet has been contacted about Hank's scratches...and I'm exhausted! Plus, my eyes still burn so badly that I can't wear my contacts at all.

However, the scent is definitely less intense so I think we're on the upswing.

And, the dinner party was a success. Here's a picture of Dan's first course (he's the devoted cook/chef at our house and does all of our entertaining cooking). This was a trio of cold soups - watermelon/mint with yogurt, grilled cantaloupe with a frozen watermelon ball, and avocado/orange served in a bed of tiny daisies. Rather charming!!

Leslie

[Jespah]

Love the soup presentation! :SMILE:

Good to hear that the stink is dying down - you are lucky it wasn't a direct hit, I know a family that was throwing up for days as the oil just gets into your lungs and makes you sick. +SAD+

Hope Hank's scratches heal with no infection. Did you check the property for a possibly injured skunk that could do further damage to the dogs? If Hank got scratched, it's possible the skunk was injured.

[LoveMySadie]

Hank had enough blood on him that we were pretty sure the skunk got the worst of it. We checked last night with a flashlight and again this morning, both inside and outside the fence. No skunk, so I'm assuming that he "skunked off" into the night. :LAUGH:

We've had this happen twice before, once with Hank and once with our English Springer Spaniel, Clyde. Clyde even managed to kill his skunk and deposit it at our back door as a gift! :SHOCKED:

But somehow, the smell is worse in the house this time than either of the other times. Not sure why, especially since neither dog got a direct hit this time.

I also called the emergency vet today to see about Hank's scratches. We put neosporin on him last night and again this morning. They told me that since he is up to date on his rabies' shots, we don't need to worry.

What, me worry?!?!?

Leslie

PS - The soups tasted even better than they looked!

[mtoy]

Oh, I feel for you! When Link got skunked and came in the house the odor nearly made all of us sick, it was unbelievably strong. We were able to air the house, but I have heard that setting out dished of white vinegar will help clear odors. Maybe worth a try?

[LoveMySadie]

Definitely...thanks! Vinegar, here I come!

Leslie

[jeepgal]

Sorry to hear both dogs got skunked! Don't have any suggestions since I've never dealt with this. Hope Hank is on the mend and got the best of the skunk.

Those soups look good and probably taste good, but don't sound too appealing to me though with the combinations! :TWITCHY: I could be persuaded though. :LAUGH:

[corgiland]

That is really too bad about the "skunking....."......but glad that everything is turning out okay!

The soups look wonderful!

[Dillydoodle]

That is one of my worst fears.. I can detect the faintest "off" smell from a mile away.. My husband checks to make sure milk is still fresh by walking up behind me , shoving the container under my nose and saying " smell this" ( which I automatically do before i realize what is going on) .. if i gag, milk is starting to turn... if not, it is still fresh ( we dont go by dates on the container.. by the time they hit that date, they are already bad to me).

I am so bad that using that liquid fence stuff in my yard to keep away the rabbits also keeps me away.. Matt has to apply it and i have to stay in the house ... and by the way, i can smell it from INSIDE my home.. matt thinks i am crazy.. but i am telling you, my nose knows!!! I end up gagging constantly and feel sick.

So the idea of skunk smell in or around my home.. forget it. I would probably die.. i would have to move ! LOL

seriously though, I hope Hank's scratches heal up fast and that your two are pretty much stink free by now.. with all the baths and remedies you have tried at this point, i would imagine that they should be! Your home.. well with all the cleaning, febreeze, scented candles, potpouri and such, i would think it should be smelling pretty good by now too.. poor dear.

The cold soups look lovely.. i think the combos sound fascinating and would definately want to try those! they look cool and refreshing ( something i would imagine you would want in 100+ degree heat for months on end). his presentation is lovely!

I hope all that sink disappates away and this will just be a faint memory soon!

[ZdogZ]

Oh, poor Hank and Sadie! Skunk smell is awful! I'm glad you are getting rid of the smell.

[LoveMySadie]

Things are decidedly better today. The aroma is still there, but not as overwhelming. My eyes have stopped watering, thank goodness! I noticed it pretty strongly after being out of the house this morning for an hour...coming back in made it obvious. But we are on the mend for sure. And Hank's nose looks great!

Thanks everyone!

Leslie

[thebeach.corgi]

What an ending to what must have been a very delightful dinner party!

The soups looked lushious.

One sprayed dog is bad enough. Can't image 2. Glad that Hank's nose scratches are healing well and that you need not worry about rabies.

Triple baths oh the aching back and unhappy dogs.

White vinegar works for smoke smells, that I can vouch for.

Hoping the eau du skunk will disspate soon. Think mother nature went overboard on that defense mechanism! :EEK:

[LoveMySadie]

Think mother nature went overboard on that defense mechanism! :EEK:

I TOTALLY agree! :ARG:

Leslie

[Jespah]

Tell that to a skunk when it's up against a bear! :EEK:

[LoveMySadie]

Apparently even our skunking is related to our weather from Hades. The rivers and ponds are so dry that wild animals are coming into populated areas looking for food and water. We live right on a small lake on the golf course which is full of water, so he was probably looking for a drink and got more than he bargained for!

There are reports from the Hill Country of entire deer herds coming up to people's porches and pools looking for water.

103 for today...and it goes on. :SWOON:

Leslie

[taflar]

Many vets sell a product called "Skunk Off". It's for bathing dogs and I've heard it works well. Have not tried it myself.

Vinegar- I'd spray the furniture, rugs, etc. with it. The vinegar spray will go away faster than the skunk smell. Or try sprinkling baking soda on rugs, etc. and then vacuuming.

I would soak the dog bedding in a vinegar solution (a cup of vinegar in the washer) and then wash them as usual. It might help and sure won't hurt!!

You might even consider a vinegar rinse on the dogs if you bathe them again. Or call your vet and see about the "Skunk Off".

Peggy

[sutulu]

Poor Hank and Sadie!

I swear in upstate NY there is a "skunk season" and it usually is August and September.

I just took note of the peroxide/baking soda/Dish detergent remedy again. Lulu's days are numbered. These days at the new house, she patrols the driveway and front yard barking at anything that moves.

Hopefully any skunk would scare away skunks along with the deer.

[Dillydoodle]

We had an interesting run in at work with a skunk. Last week i drove into the parking lot of our work to see a skunk running in circles with a yoplait yogurt cup firmly over his entire head. he was scared and panicing. We all tried to figure out the best way to help this poor animal. We all felt bad for him.. he was clearly hanging around the dumpster and had found someone's carelessly tossed yogurt cup. Anyway , we called animal control, a few wildlife rehab people and could not find anyone who would come out to handle this problem without either killing the animal ( not an option with me or the other animal lovers who work with me) or charging hundreds of dollars to do it.

After running around in circles for a while, he calmed down and tried to get the cup off his head, to no avail.. it was breaking our hearts to see him struggling ... the little guy got tired and was huddled under someone's car just sad looking with this cup over his entired head. .. we all devised a plan and one of the brave girls i work with got a long board.. put it on the yogurt cup and held it down ... he managed to be able to pull his head out.. He didnt try to spray anyone.. he just sat there bewildered..and then he stayed under the car for an additional hour , probably trying to recoup his strength and catch his breath... Poor little guy.

We found out later that according to the apartment building next door, that some of the residents saw him like that since the night before.. Poor guy.

He eventually ran off and was fine.

I told all my co-workers to make sure that anytime you throw away cups ( or recycle)(especially yoplait that is tapered narrow at the top , wide at the bottom). cut them up so that no one can get caught in them. I do that for all yogurt cups, sourcream containers , 6 pack soda rings, and break the bottoms out of all the chip bags so no one could get caught and suffocate. I do this at home, at work, anywhere i go.. it really only takes a minute and could save a life..

[dcole]

Wow, the poor thing! Glad you guys figured out a way to help the skunk, Emilie. +WUBCLUB+

Good reminder, too, about making our garbage "safe" for our pets and the wildlife. Like you, I always cut open chip bags, the waxed bags inside of cereal boxes (and break open the bottom of the boxes, too) before throwing anything away. I didn't really think about the yogurt containers, but now I see that they need "secured" before tossing them out, too! +IDEA+

[mtoy]

That reminds me of a story Karl often tells - years ago his mom saw a skunk with a glass jar stuck on its head the same way. She didn't know what to do or who to call and ended up just going up to the skunk and removing it herself. The skunk didn't spray.