Complications From a Dog Being Sprayed by a Skunk

When a dog is sprayed by a skunk, it is often traumatizing for all parties involved---the skunk, the dog and the person left to dealt with the stinky mess. Not only does getting sprayed by a skunk result in a foul odor, but it can cause other problems for your dog as well.

  1. Oily Skunk Spray Easily Spreads

    • Skunk spray is oily in nature and because of this, it can spread to places it shouldn't. For this reason, the Dog Breed Info website suggests only washing the affected area on the dog. If you add water or shampoo to other spots on the dog, the oil from the spray can spread throughout the dog's coat, which can make removing the difficult oils that much harder. In addition, the oily spray can also affect and adhere to objects in your home, such as carpets, curtains and upholstery. Therefore, always wash a skunked dog outdoors to prevent the odor from ruining your home.

    Spray Irritation

    • Skunk spray can be rather irritating, and if your dog was sprayed in the face it may be in pain. According to the Healthy Pet website, skunk spray can irritate a dog's eyes, mouth and nose upon contact. The spray can even injure the dog's lungs and throat if it is inhaled. If your dog's face is affected by skunk spray, rinse the areas with water and wipe them dry. If the eyes appear red or the dog still seems bothered by the spray, take it to a veterinarian for treatment. In addition, skunk odor can cause people to experience problems related to the inhalation of the odor. For instance, some people can become nauseous or experience headaches from breathing in too much of the fumes.

    Stubborn Smell

    • Not only is skunk spray odor repulsive, it is also difficult to completely remove from a dog's hair, and typical dog shampoo will not work to eliminate the scent. Instead, alternative techniques are often employed. For instance, soaking your dog's coat in mouthwash, tomato juice or a mixture that contains baking soda, liquid dish soap and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used to remove the skunk funk, as well as products made specifically for the removal of skunk scent. Many owners have to bathe their dogs in these remedies several times before the odor is gone, or combinations of the various techniques may need to be employed.