No matter how much you adore your pet animal, there is one unpleasant truth that you must acknowledge: they stink sometimes. They are often found doing gross things like digging through trash, rolling around in the mud, and eating garbage. But what if they have done nothing of the sort, and they still stink? It could be because of some medical condition, and in such a scenario, you must visit the vet immediately.
A strange smell is one of the ideal ways to tell whether your “healthy” dog is sick. If your dog smells sour, it can be because of numerous underlying conditions such as infections, diabetes, or even cancers. Here are some things that could make your dog’s breath, skin, or poop smells bad, as well as what you should do to fix the problem as soon as possible.
Skin Fold Pyoderma
Skin fold pyoderma is a fancy name for a skin infection between skin folds and gives off a strong, musty smell. It can happen to dogs of any age, size, or breed. The VCA says that infection happens when bacteria grows between the dog’s skin folds.
The unpleasant smell and the infection can make your dog itch and hurt. You should visit the veterinarian immediately if your dog smells sour. They can give you a medicated cleanser or ointment to put on the skin to treat the infection. If you don’t treat the infection, it could worsen, and you might need surgery.
Infection of the Anal Gland
If your dog smells bad, there might be something wrong with its anal glands. These glands produce a thick liquid that gives their poop a distinctive smell. If you smell a strong fishy smell when your dog isn’t pooping, there is a possibility that the glands may have come out on their own. This can happen if they are suddenly scared, completely, or infected one or both of their salivary glands.
If it’s just a one-time accident, you shouldn’t worry. However, if this happens often, it could be because of an infection or because the glands are full and need to be drained. If the second problem is the case, a good groomer can help. But if it’s an infection, you’ll need help from a vet.
Dental Issues
It’s normal to have a faint “dog breath” smell, but if the smell changes, it could be a sign of dental disease. Many pet owners think their dog would stop eating if it had a toothache, but it turns out that dogs are so driven to eat that they’ll keep eating even if they have broken teeth or painful tooth root abscesses. If your dog’s breath smells terrible, you should take him to the vet to find out what’s wrong. It would be helpful if you brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week to prevent dental disease.
Kidney Problems
Dogs with kidney failure often smell pretty bad. Their kidneys can’t get rid of waste from the blood well enough, leading to kidney failure in dogs. Any dog with such issues needs to see a vet immediately so the underlying cause can be easily found and treated immediately.
Conclusion
These are just a few things that might result in a foul smell from your pet. Most of the time, the pets smell bad because of poor hygiene or playing and rolling in the dirt. However, if they continue to smell bad for a week or two, consider seeing a vet and getting your pet checked adequately.