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Tip
51 - Dog sprayed by a skunk - cat got skunked - what to do
If
your dog or cat gets sprayed by a skunk the first thing you
want to do is make
sure your pet is physically OK. If your dog or cat was scratched,
it's best you contact the vet asap to find out if your pet is
up to date
on its rabies shot. Some skunks carry rabies so you must be 100%
sure. Rabies
is fatal.
Next
you want to check your pet's nose and eyes. They often get blasted
there and it's very uncomfortable. Take a wet cloth or some baby
wipes and gently wipe these areas clean. If the eyes took a direct
hit or if the eyes remain watery or extra red after cleaning,
then an immediate visit to the vet is called for. Skunk spray
in the eyes is extremely painful.
Next
it's time to get the smell out of the fur/hair. The traditional
way
is to use tomato juice. Cover the dog or cat's fur with liberal
amounts
of tomato juice and work into the coat. Let it stay on for 5
minutes. Rinse well. Shampoo with your normal pet shampoo and
rinse extra well. This method works pretty well for most cats
and dogs.
Sometimes, depending on how bad the dog or cat got sprayed, there
may still
be a bit residual skunk smell. Repeat the procedure again if
necessary. The smell is usually bearable at this point
and goes away completely after a few days.
Here's
another way to get rid of skunk smell. It is reputed to be
better than the tomato
juice method.
Ingredients:
1 quart (or liter) of never opened 3%
Hydrogen Peroxide available in most drug stores.
1/4 cup (50 ml.) of Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of liquid dish soap
Using
a pair of rubber gloves mix the ingredients together IN AN OPEN
container like a bucket and watch it get fizz up. Try to see
where your pet got hit and rub the mixture well into the fur
while avoiding the eyes, and
other
sensitive
parts like the nose and mouth. Let it stay on for 5 minutes or
longer if the smell keeps lingering. Rinse extra well. This usually
works
well
once
but you
may need to do this twice if your pet took a particularly nasty
spraying. The solution will not change the colour of your pet's
fur. DO
NOT STORE or REUSE THE MIXTURE as it will build up pressure in a
closed container and possibly explode. Dump it all after using
it once.
If
after your best attempts at bathing and cleaning your pet is
still very uncomfortable, especially regarding its
eyes (red, watery) then a trip to the
vets is a must.
© Pets.ca
2006
www.pets.ca
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