I have a 2 year old springer spaniel, he's in great shape but every now and then he gives off a really strong fishy smell. I have no idea what causes it, when you smell him hes clean, I think a little bit of it may be urine but he isnt peeing. Has anyone else had this problem, if so how did you fix?
2007-01-10 08:17:56 · 4 answers · asked by ! 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It could be that his anal glands need expressing. Inside a dog's anus are two small glands that contain a thick, smelly fluid. Most dogs are capable of emptying them on their own during elimination, but some animals can't. This is when you take your dog to a groomer or vet and have them empty - or express - the anal glands. You *can* learn to do it on your own, but for most people, the smell is enough motivation to pay someone else to do it.
Next time your dog smells like that, a quick trip to the vet or groomer for anal gland expression should fix him right up. Oh, and make sure they do it internally. It empties them more completely.
2007-01-10 08:26:00 · answer #1 · answered by GoldenDonut 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Accez24!!
It may to be an anal sac problem.
The secretion from anal glands typically has a very strong fishy or musty odor. A small amount of this anal gland material is normally deposited when dogs defecate and a large amount may be extruded when a dog is frightened. It is thought that dogs' anal gland secretions serve as territory markers, and it is also the anal gland secretions that dogs are investigating when they say "hello" by sniffing each other's rear ends.
But in most cases, when a dog or puppy comes to have a not so pleasant odor, it relates to their diet. The food they eat is omitted through their skin's pores. If they are fed a food high in fish ingredients, they will omit a fishy odor, and if they are fed a diet high in corn, they will smell like a corn chip.
Try to identify if the smell is coming from skin, mouth, backend, this will help narrow down the problem.
Jason Homan
2007-01-13 15:17:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is probably his anal glands. They smell bad when they express them. you should take him to the vet just to make sure it isnt a UTI though. If it is the anal glands they can express them and show you how to do it your self. Good luck.
2007-01-10 16:25:53 · answer #3 · answered by Ryne's proud mommy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the vet. Sounds like an infection. If not, shave aroung his area to avoid hair getting peed on.
2007-01-10 16:26:37 · answer #4 · answered by crazyforboxers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋