Skunks suck!

[suzyjazz]

Jazz got sprayed by a skunk last night. Of course, it happened right before bedtime in the middle of the week. My husband let her out and she raced out the door, so I guess she saw something. He heard a scuffle under the tree and then Jazz was shaking her head violently and rubbing it in the grass. Then she came inside and brought the smell with her.

My husband told me to come here to see what happened. I always get scared when he says "Come here" because I know something unpleasant has occurred and I don't know how bad it is.

We washed her in water, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda per the vet's remedy, but her face got the brunt of it. We can't wash her face very well because we don't want the stuff to get in her eyes. I followed up with shampoo. She still stinks a little. I'm going to try again tonight. And this weekend we need to air out the house!

I don't think she got bit or scratched or anything. I'm sure the skunk was scared, sprayed, and ran. I've heard we have raccoons and I fear she'll run into one of those one day. Raccoons are nasty in a whole other way, so I really don't want that to happen.

Share your sympathy and I hate skunks stories here!

[bburton]

It's a wonderful thing that Jazz has such caring human companions for when she gets herself into trouble.

[Hogleg 44]

Sorry to hear that Suzy!
Google Tomato Juice. I think that can be a help in removing the smell!

[suzyjazz]

Thanks Paul and Bruce. She was shivering after I bathed her so I used the hair dryer until she was tird of it. I guess when she stood up and walked away, that meant enough! She was till shivering a little, though. I read that tomato juice only masks the smell.... but I just bought something from the pet store that claims to get rid of the smell, so we'll try that next. Is tomato paste the same thing? I could rub that on her head too!

Jazz has many adventures.... at least this one wasn't dangerous, just inconvenient and stinky! I heard from an old neighbor that the St. Bernard who attacked Jazz attacked another dog yesterday. We don't live there anymore, but anyway. I think the dog was OK but it was a small dog so I don't know how that's possible. The poor lady was crying for help in the streets. The owners weren't even outside. I hope she had/has a word with them. People are so disgusting. I called animal control and the HOA on her behalf in case she doesn't do it

[Michelle Allmon]

Skunks suck!

No, actually, they blow.

[Glen_A]

Since you have raccoons around you might ask your vet if Jazz needs some kind of rabies booster shot. Never hurts to be prepared for the worst. I was having a raccoon problem at my house but I solved it using Fran's Bad Critter Removal method (high powered air rifle).

[suzyjazz]

Originally Posted by Glen_A

Since you have raccoons around you might ask your vet if Jazz needs some kind of rabies booster shot. Never hurts to be prepared for the worst. I was having a raccoon problem at my house but I solved it using Fran's Bad Critter Removal method (high powered air rifle).

Her vaccinations, including rabies, are up-to-date. What exactly is a rabies "booster" shot? It is about time for her semi-annual visit, which I used to skip (unless there was a problem) and only go annually. Because of her age, now I want to take her in. And as you said it would be good to see what my vet thinks of the critters around.

[MarekWK]

Originally Posted by Hogleg 44

Sorry to hear that Suzy!
Google Tomato Juice. I think that can be a help in removing the smell!

second the tomato juice! much better than vet's suggestion.

[Dsheree]

On Myth Busters they did a show on this. Get online and see what their results where....I think the answer is vinigar.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

that skunk juice is oily and what you need is something to break that oilbond to the hair and the acid in the tomato juice will do that, vinegar probably would work also.

[Davidtxs]

im a groomer and we get these ALL the time we have one customer that has a great dane and a lab and they get it ONCE a month religiously lol we use Simple Solution http://www.petaroo.com/ProductDetail...ctCode=BR11916
if thats is what you got then FOLLOW directions to the tee, ya have to leave the second wash on the dog and let it dry if you blow dry it ya kill the enzymes but it will work you may want to put a lil mineral oil in the eyes to keep it out of them also

[Dokk]

Well...I don't know the chemistry or the physics of all this but it seems to me that Hydrogen Peroxide might bleach the dog's fur. Make sure to have your dog check with his girlfriend before doing this to avoid any embarassing encounters. Dog's egos can sometimes be fragile, ya know.

In all seriousness, I have been sprayed before and know that the tomatoe juice does work. Whether it masks the smell until it can wear off or whatever is of no consequence. Bottom line is to get rid of the skunk smell and this does work. I have also had the unfortunate experience of being sprayed by a civet cat. Skunks ain't got nuttin' on these critters. My Dad just poored the tomato juice on me from arm's length because I was too busy throwing up the smell was so bad. Not something I'd wish on anyone other than my very worst enemies.

[Shane]

Did Jazz break a mirror . . . that poor dog has the worst luck!

[pippin]

my friends dogs had a tendency of rolling in dead skunk....

[suzyjazz]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I don't think there was enough hydrogen peroxide to do any bleaching. It was mixed with quite a bit of water. In any case, she is OK.

So someone actually has experience with tomato juice working. I didn't know if it really worked or just was what everyone thought should work. According to Wikipedia, the mixture I used is supposed to be the most effective. They even mentioned MythBusters. Her head just barely stinks a little bit now. I'll see how it is this weekend.

Mike (Dokk), that civet cat sounds horrible! My goodness.