Skunked or Itchy: What to Do Before the Groomer Arrives

A skunked dog at ten at night is a bad moment. The smell is in the fur, on the porch and, if the dog gets past you, on the couch. The second-worst moment is the one where your dog scratches through dinner and you cannot tell why. Dog Gone Clean Mobile Pet Salon handles both, and a little preparation on your end makes the visit smoother.

Their price list names the two services plainly: the de-skunking treatment is $25.00 and the flea treatment is $17.00. They also state that they use only all-organic pet products, which matters if you have a dog who reacts to heavily perfumed shampoos. What follows is general guidance for owners, not veterinary advice.

If your dog has been skunked

The goal in the first hour is to contain the smell until a groomer can treat it. Skunk oil clings to hair, and anywhere your dog brushes against becomes a new place for the odor to live. Keep your dog outside, in a garage or in a mudroom with an easy-to-wipe floor if you can. Every trip through the house spreads the problem.

• Keep your dog out of the living areas, and shut the doors to bedrooms.
• Do not hug, cuddle or carry the dog, and wash your hands after handling the collar.
• Avoid wetting the dog until you have asked the groomer what they prefer. Water can change how some treatments work.
• Wash the collar or harness separately, since it holds the smell the way the coat does.
• Call as soon as you can on a day the van is open, and say plainly that your dog was sprayed.

Dog Gone Clean works Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, by appointment only. If your dog is sprayed on a Sunday evening, you may be waiting until Tuesday, so it helps to have a plan. A patio, a crate in the garage or a fenced yard keeps the smell where it started. The number is 203-804-6248.

Why the kitchen remedies rarely finish the job

Every owner has heard a home remedy. Some people reach for tomato juice or whatever is under the sink. These tend to mask the odor for a while and leave a mess, and some leave the coat sticky or stained. A groomer who deodorizes skunk regularly has products and a method for it, which is why a flat $25.00 treatment is often the easier answer than a night of experiments.

Tell the groomer when it happened and how bad it was. A dog sprayed last night and a dog sprayed last week are different jobs. If the face was hit, mention that too, because the eyes and nose need careful handling and your dog may be extra nervous about having them touched.

If your dog is scratching

Itching has many causes, and fleas are only one of them. Dog Gone Clean offers a flea treatment at $17.00 as part of its grooming services, and the standard package already includes all natural shampoos. The service handles what happens on the dog; it is not a diagnosis. If you are not sure what you are seeing, say so when you call.

• Note where your dog scratches most: the base of the tail, the belly, the ears or the paws.
• Look through the coat at the skin with a fine comb. Tiny dark specks or moving insects are worth mentioning.
• Wash the bedding in hot water before the visit, so a clean dog does not return to a dirty bed.
• Tell the groomer if you have recently changed food, shampoo or flea products at home.

Their services list also includes a medicated pet shampoo treatment. If a vet has recommended a particular medicated product for your dog, ask when you book whether it can be part of the visit. Bring the instructions from your vet's office and follow them.

Know when it is a vet question

A groomer can wash, brush and treat a coat. A groomer cannot tell you why your dog is chewing a patch raw, why the skin is red, or whether a lump is something to watch. Open sores, hair loss, a strong smell that is not skunk, or constant scratching that wakes the household at night are reasons to call your veterinarian before you book a groom. The groomer will not be offended if you do.

If you live in Orange, Woodbridge or Milford, the van comes to your door, which helps when your dog is upset or smells too ripe for a car ride. Keep your dog on a leash near the van. A dog that has just been sprayed or has been scratching all week is often jumpy, and the first few minutes go easier with a calm hand on the lead.

Afterward

Once your dog is clean, keep him out of whatever caused the trouble. Check the yard fence for gaps where wildlife can slip through, and keep an eye on dusk walks, which is when skunks are most active. For fleas, talk with your vet about prevention that suits your dog, because treating the dog is only one part of dealing with them. The cancellation terms still apply: a $25 fee if 48 hours' notice is not given, so tell them early if plans change.