Question:
We have a 14-year-old female basset hound that no longer has the flexibility to lick (clean) herself. After she relieves herself, we gently clean her with baby wipes. Is there any way we can rid her of the odor she has developed in her anal region since she stopped cleaning herself? Is there a deodorizing agent in her saliva that has been replicated in the market for this challenge?
M.K., Chesapeake, Va Jul 19, 2010
Answer:
Old dogs and cats, especially when they are overweight, need daily posterior cleaning. Those with long fur need to be clipped around their hindquarters to facilitate cleaning. Placing washable towels where the animal regularly rests also helps control the old dog odor.
Wipes containing witch hazel (a soothing herb) or calendula are preferable to those with synthetic scents. Very diluted Orange TKO cleaner would also work well every few days. Animals generally like to feel clean, enjoy being odor-free, and many have an aversion to their own malodorous secretions and may become depressed when not given the loving attention you are providing.
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