The Dog Bible Q&A
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
Skunked
My lab just got skunked! I know that the tomato juice bath is a bogus remedy. What do you recommend?
From Lenny, in Vermont
Hi, Lenny,
Sorry to hear that! In THE DOG BIBLE, I have a couple of de-skunking solutions that you mix up yourself, so check them out. But recently, I learned of a great product that will do the trick. "X-O Odor Remover" is an organic water-based product that does just what its name suggests. You can use it on odors the dog has left as a calling card, but also directly on him when he has tangoed with a skunk (it also works if he's taken a roll in some fragrant manure). Get some X-O (you can get a free sample off the "Useful Links" page of www.thedogbible.com, but you need a whole lot more than that now!) If no store near you has it, they will ship it out for the next time you need it.
Cover your dog's eyes (with your free hand or a washcloth) and spray him all over with the ready-to-use X-O. Then dilute the X-O with an equal amount of water (or 3 ounces of the X-O concentrate in a bucket of water) and rub it into his coat well, then rinse. If you had a breed with thick fur, I would say to repeat this step, but being a Lab, he'll be good to go. Kind regards.
Tracie
Tracie welcomes any and all questions about cats AND dogs on both her live radio shows. Call in to DOG TALK on Saturdays from 11-Noon (EST) to 800-394-8830 or Wednesdays 8-9 PM (EST) to CAT CHAT 866-675-6675. (You don't need to have Sirius to call in!)
DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that the advice I give on the air or in emails – or those you see posted here – are not intended to take the place of a veterinarian's advice or expertise. I say this to protect myself from being misunderstood or from your over-reliance on my advice in situations where your pet may be seriously ill and you would mistakenly delay seeking medical intervention. While I am confident in the research-based facts and common-sense advice I can offer, it is never meant to be used at the exclusion of trained, accredited and board certified professionals. But I also have this disclaimer to protect your dog – because what you learn from me is not intended to take the place of medical care or professional evaluation – on the contrary, my desire is to equip you with information that will allow you to enjoy your pets to the fullest, and also to encourage you to seek professional medical attention whenever there are physical symptoms or an overall change in your pet's attitude.
The information contained in the answers posted on this board comes from THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You To Know, and from DOG TALK® The Radio Show, broadcast live, Saturdays, from 11-12 noon EST, on your local NPR affiliate. All emails are answered personally and then posted, sometimes in abbreviated form.
