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Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:18 pm
by Raven
Got logged out while submitting (arg), and it's time to leave for work, so....

3:00 this morning, husband wakes me up to say Thor took a hit by a skunk. Thor was in bedroom, too, wound up like a top.

I know that a direct hit doesn't smell like roadkill skunk or a spray that's wafting in the air, but unless I forgot what that distinctive direct hit smells like, it didn't smell like skunk.

Since a lot of hits are to the face, I smelled his face, neck, shoulders and inside his mouth. I couldn't smell the odor. I tried not to use my hands too much to prevent the oils from spreading if, indeed, he'd taken a hit. I have the hydrogen peroxide/baking soda/dish soap recipe, but opted not to use it since I couldn't locate any area to target. (Wierd.)

Wherever Thor went, so went the smell--but it didn't linger in a room once he left it. Also, he'd rubbed up against the bedspread when he came in the bedroom, but there was no residual odor on it.

Within the hour, it'd lost its "ummpf." Now four hours later, and with strong gusts outside, that smelll is still prevailent outdoors.

He was down by the picnic table at the woods. There is one very small area (not on the woods side) that a small animal can get through (gradiated section of stockade not filled in), but there aren't any skunk digs anywhere along the rest of the fencing.

On a good note, despite Thor's intense attraction to the picnic table area, he came upon command, according to husband. (Good boy!) However, was distracted while getting the mud off his feet, wanting to go back out--and then went to the carpet to rub his mug (which he never, ever does).

After I'd been woken up and sniffed him up, he was still hell-bent on wanting to go back out. I tried to re-direct his energy by having him retrieve, which he's ALWAYS up for, but wasn't keenly interested--until I pulled out a squeeker. :dschick:

Perhaps I really have forgotten what a direct hit smells like (would it matter if it came from an aged skunk?)

So, what steps/course of action would I take in the future to move swiftly, especially if he isn't going to be dissuaded by a hit? (See...but wouldn't the oils be an irritant to the eyes and the purpose of a dog not wanting another encounter? He did, though, rub his mug on the carpet.)

I'm not getting something here--or I'm just :yernuts:

Gotta play with the boy and go to work (indoors, thank you very much). Have a great day, everyone!

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:19 pm
by Raven
I meant PLAY indoors!

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:08 pm
by Raven
Okay...haven't made it to work quite yet...mystery solved...There's a pretty badly beaten corpse down at the picnic table. Thor was let out about midnight without fanfare, then again at 3:00 when it happened. (Don't know if his coming upon the skunk was a gratuitous windfall or if the skunk didn't have a chance to react. Any way of knowing?)

He's up on rabies, but called the vet; keep my eyes out for neurological symptoms, but can also bring him in for a booster. He's due again in June.

Still interested in original question of preparedness, especially if Thor would be so undaunted.

Vet said don't need to call health department to check the skunk for rabies, but not sure a call wouldn't hurt.

Going to use the corpse for focus work--and then I'll be leaving for work.

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:36 pm
by Dutchringgirl
Thalie got sprayed right in the face by a skunk last November, OH BOY the smell was the worst ever!!!!!! Right into the tub. I doubt that the hit would prevent her from future encounters. She has also gnawed on a dead something too and the vet wasnt concerned, she was up on her shots too.

Thalie has a good recal, but she wasnt hesitant to come after being sprayed.

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 4:53 pm
by leih merigian
Raven wrote: So, what steps/course of action would I take in the future to move swiftly, especially if he isn't going to be dissuaded by a hit? (See...but wouldn't the oils be an irritant to the eyes and the purpose of a dog not wanting another encounter? He did, though, rub his mug on the carpet.)
I admit I can be on the dense side, but I'm not sure what you're asking here :mrgreen: .

Are you asking how to keep him from messing with the object? Or, how to deal with the aftermath? (If it's the first, where's your much vaunted "leave it?" :D )

In my experience, they're not dissuaded by the hits from skunks. My GSD got hit a bunch of times, never stopped her from going for them again, alas.

Also, while that recipe you have is good, I've found the best stuff is Oxyfresh's Pet Deodorizer. It isn't time-limited like that recipe, due to the action of the baking soda. You just spray it on, and done. And, it works incredibly well, with any kind of odor.

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:47 pm
by Christie M
leih merigian wrote: Also, while that recipe you have is good, I've found the best stuff is Oxyfresh's Pet Deodorizer. It isn't time-limited like that recipe, due to the action of the baking soda. You just spray it on, and done. And, it works incredibly well, with any kind of odor.
Good to know. I have always had the best luck with vinegar and water douche. Seriously. LOL. I ran a wildlife rehab facility for many years and skunked owls were extremely common. They are nocturnal and they can't smell - so skunks are natural prey. But a spray to the eyes made it impossible for them to hunt for a while and that could really set them back. We kept massengill on hand 24/7.

I doubt Thor is going to be at all dissuaded and can't see how you could prevent the behavior if he is unsupervised. You could put him in total avoidance over all animals, but I don't think that will help your over all goals. Whether he found the little guy dead or alive, I am SURE the whole experience was very self rewarding and taught him a great deal about how much fun black and white "kitties" are. I swear the whole odor of a skunk is made to last. Every so often we get one that wanders onto the property. So far (fingers crossed) no one has been hit. But the odor lingers long after they move on. I don't even think they are spraying.....maybe just "emitting."

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:53 pm
by Dutchringgirl
its been 6 months and when Thalie is wet, she still has a hint of skunk smell

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 5:58 pm
by Christie M
Dutchringgirl wrote:its been 6 months and when Thalie is wet, she still has a hint of skunk smell
My favorite shampoo is "Fresh and Clean" by Lambert Key. It is kinda like skunk...LOL. When ever they get wet after the bath, you smell the shampoo all over again!

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:35 pm
by Raven
I meant dealing with the aftermath. As for my highly prized "leave it"--when I took him out to do focus around the carcass, I'm happy to say that I didn't have to use it or any other prized command. He heeled welled and was focused on me.

Can't believe that growing up in the country and now living in the country that I've never had to deal with the issue. (Never been stung by anything, either, even when around nests--some say it's because I'm too mean. :evil: ) So, this is something entirely forgein to me.

And no about the avoidance of animals; yes, it's not the overall goal.

Not an area that Thor visits, there was a lot of "activity" in the mud in that area of the fence that has the under-clearing; the boy enjoyed himself when the skunk came through it.

OxyFresh Pet Deodorizer...on the shopping list.

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:52 pm
by Dutchringgirl
Christie M wrote:
Dutchringgirl wrote:its been 6 months and when Thalie is wet, she still has a hint of skunk smell
My favorite shampoo is "Fresh and Clean" by Lambert Key. It is kinda like skunk...LOL. When ever they get wet after the bath, you smell the shampoo all over again!

HAHA, Id rather smell the shampoo then the skunk :dswink"

Re: Guess It's Gotta Be Skunk?

Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 2:38 am
by Kristie E
I am safe and out for the count... I can't smell a thing and haven't been able to for some months now!!!