While most dogs have a slightly offensive smell, some smell worse than others. The severity of odor depends on the amount of oil in its skin and how often you wash it. Most times, a bath helps remove or mask your dog's scent and gives your nostrils some relief. Sometimes, an offensive odor has an underlying medical cause, and the only way to treat the bad smell is by diagnosing and treating the condition.
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Halitosis
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Dental diseases cause extreme bad breath, or halitosis, in dogs. Dental diseases include gingivitis, periodontitis and an abscessed tooth, says veterinarian Debra Primovic of Pet Place. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that causes redness, swelling and unpleasant odor. Periodontitis is the inflammation of the structures supporting the dog's teeth, gum tissue, periodontal ligament, small cavity and cementum. While halitosis can have more serious causes, such as lung cancer, kidney disease or mouth tumors, regular teeth brushing and veterinary checkups can help prevent the more common causes.
Infections
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Certain types of infections give off an offensive odor in dogs. These include skin infections caused by bacteria or yeast, ear infections and bladder infections, veterinarian Eric Barchas says at DrBarchas.com. If a wound becomes infected, it can also give off a foul smell. Bacterial infections cause red, raw skin, and yeast infections cause red, scaly skin that also appears greasy. Antibiotics work on most bacterial skin infections. Veterinarians treat canine yeast skin infections with medications such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole, according to the Dog Health Guide.
Allergies
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Allergies can cause sweating in dogs, resulting in a musty odor. While dogs do not normally sweat, they do have sweat glands, according to the Dog Health Guide. Allergies cause the sweat glands to secrete a sweat-like substance. Allergies can be airborne or food-related. A dog with allergies might require a special, hypoallergenic diet.
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