[Nutmeg]

Hello,

I have been raising golden retrievers for about fourteen years now, but just recently my 6-year-old, Nutmeg, has had this awful smell. It just showed up about two months ago. I have tried giving her a bath, but that only lasts for a few days, then she smells bad again. I took her to the vet, but the vet said she couldn't smell anything. However, my roommates also think she smells bad and I don't know what to do about it.

I was told that if her skin is irritated she will produce more oils that could cause her to smell, but I don't think that is the case. I switched her shampoo to see if that was the problem, it's not. I checked her ears, but they are clean and don't smell bad.

I was also told that she could smell bad if she needs her anal glands extracted because then she would smell if she gets anxious or excited. Is anyone familiar with this?

I also switched her brand of dog food, but that isn't the problem, either. Anyone have a similar problem?

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

 

[Pointgold]

Ears, anal glands, digestion (add probiotics), in that order - and if it's not any of those, have her thyroid checked. Remember that "low normal" for a canine parameter is very low for a Golden.

 

[Nutmeg]

Thanks for the advice!

Thanks! Her ears are definitely not the problem, but I plan on making an appointment with my vet to check her anal glands. While I am there, I will ask about her thyroid. Thank you again :thanks: :banana:

 

[Pointgold]

Thanks! Her ears are definitely not the problem, but I plan on making an appointment with my vet to check her anal glands. While I am there, I will ask about her thyroid. Thank you again :thanks: :banana:

Does she ever get hot spots? Ear infections? Does she seem to gain weight while eating relatively little? Any lethargy? "Fuzzy" coat on the ends?

 

[Nutmeg]

No hot spots. No ear infections. No weight gain. No lethargy. No fuzzy coat at ends.

Everything seems the same, she just smells bad...she is eating fine, same energy level, no problems while peeing or pooping, and her attitude is still good too.

 

[Pointgold]

No hot spots. No ear infections. No weight gain. No lethargy. No fuzzy coat at ends.

Everything seems the same, she just smells bad...she is eating fine, same energy level, no problems while peeing or pooping, and her attitude is still good too.

All good. At 6, though, I'd insist on a thyroid panel being run - T3 and T4, and Free T3 and Free T4. If the results are low normal, supplement. If the vet doesn't agree, contact Dr. Jean Dodds.

 

[mylissyk]

A generalized yeast or staph infection on her skin can also make her have an odor. Antibiotics usually clear those up.

 

[Nutmeg]

Thank you!

We went to the vet and I mentioned how bad she smells. The vet was able to express her anal glands and now she has not smelt bad!

Apparently, her anal glands were full and the vet described it as a "dead fish" smell...yup, that is what she used to smell like.

Anyway, now she doesn't smell bad and my roommates enjoy having her around again. Thank you for all of the advice! If her smell persists, I will have her thyroid checked.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Loisiana]

Anytime my Lhasa gets scared or surprised his anal glands leak. It is disgusting smelling.

 

[BeauShel]

If she has some soft poop that can cause the anal glands to get full. So if she does have that problem then I would add some pumpkin to her food or get her on some probiotics.
There is nothing worse then the anal gland smell.

 

[Finn's Fan]

Nutmeg, if her anal glands are not emptying when she defecates, you may need to get them expressed regularly. It's not comfortable for the dog to have full anal glands.

 

[Pointgold]

Nutmeg, if her anal glands are not emptying when she defecates, you may need to get them expressed regularly. It's not comfortable for the dog to have full anal glands.

Or, try adding some fiber to the diet to bulk up the stool - Metamucil works well. Natural expression is preferable to manually expressing them, if possible. It is uncomfortable, and if they are not expressing, they can become impacted and even rupture. :yuck: