Help! My Dog Got Skunked!

Well, it happened.  Our dog got skunked!  It's something you hope never happens, but it does...and it did.  Riley, the lovable 70 pound black lab decided to see what a skunk had to say.  Not a good idea!

My wife called this morning on her way to work at Grand Valley State University and gave me the good news.  Now, I have clean-up duty.

I talked about this on-air and thanks to all who called in with suggestions.  We came to a general consensus that there was one method that was a good solution.

Just to be sure, I checked a web site Deskunking Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets and found that tomato juice or vinegar is not recommended because it only masks the odor--it doesn't remove the smell.

Usually dogs take a hit in the neck area. Typically they are sprayed while provoking the skunk and turn their head, while being sprayed, in order to avoid it.

First check to see if your dog was injured by the skunk. If your dog is bleeding or appears to have been bitten, consult a vet immediately. Skunks may carry rabies. If vaccinated, your dog is safe from the rabies virus (but you are not!).

Next go to a drug store and get the following, if needed:

1 quart (or liter) of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2.
Use fresh (unopened) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hydrogen peroxide eventually turns into water (H2O).
1/4 cup (50 ml.) of Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of Liquid Soap
1 pair of plastic or latex gloves

Bathe the dog outside or, if it's too dark or cold, in the bathroom with the door closed and window opened.
Combine the ingredients in an open container (do not store in a sealed bottle--it will explode).
Using gloves, wash your dog with lukewarm water and the mixture while the mixture is bubbling. Work the mixture well into the fur.
Be sure to concentrate on the area that was sprayed.
Keep mixture away from your dog's face and eyes (it's a harsh solution). (If your dog has been sprayed in the face, try Tricotine Liquid Douche Concentrate or any over-the-counter douche.)
Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes or so before rinsing off.
Rinse the dog with lukewarm tap water. Don't wash the mixture into your dog's eyes (use a washcloth to cover the eyes if you're rinsing the head).
After bathing, check your dog's eyes. If they are red and watering, your dog may have taken a direct hit in the face. Skunk spray won't blind the dog, but it's very painful. Contact a vet.

Good luck if you're going to try this.  I may, but for now I see a dog groomer in his future.  I'll let you know how it works out.