Musty Old Basement Smell

[daisylubob]

DH and I have been staying at the cottage on the lake the few weeks. Rudy and Annie swim every day, therefore are wet. When Rudy dries, or we dry him off, he has a 'musty old basement' smell that kind of wafts from and around him. The smell eminates from no particular area on his body, is just generalized. I have checked his ears, no infection. Not anal gland smell. Not teeth or breath. Our old Lab (has passed) had the same type of smell in the summer. I tried a bath, and the smell came back after a few days. I have brushed him and not a whole lot of hair comes out. We take the collars off when they are wet and rotate between them so they can dry out. It has to be from being wet often, but the aftermath of stink is not the most pleasant . Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
Janet

[Snowshoe]

What kind of shampoo did you use for the bath? I'd suspect a bacterial skin infection that a bacterial shampoo might help. You don't want to shampoo too often but one more might help. Just as important is to rinse thoroughly. If you think you've got the shampoo all out, rinse twice more anyway. Also just as important is quick and thorough drying. I use a blow dryer, the same one for my own hair. All that goes for the collars as well, I'd make sure to wash them too, and dry them with heat, assuming they are nylon. I now use a waterproof betathane collar and it's only on for walks. You also need to treat all their bedding the same way.

I tried five shampoos for Oban's itchy allergies till I found this one that worked for him.

Access Denied

You are in the U.S. so you might be able to buy a dog shampoo that has chlorhexidine in it off the shelf. Here in Canada it's a controlled substance and only available through a Vet. This is ingredient was suggested to me by more than one board person on a couple of boards so it seems to be well regarded. The shampoo I do get (link above) is close I think and only available to me at a horse place.

If shampoo doesn't work then I guess you'd have to address internal issues. It seems unlikely two dogs would both develop some kind of illness that would cause this in both of them, but maybe you could at least ask your Vet. They might have seen others the same and at least have some other options for you to try. Good luck.

ETA: Probably it's obvious but don't wash and rinse with the lake water. If you are still at the cottage maybe the water you drink would be ok.

ETA: The link works but just in case, it's Furrever Devoted Medicated Dog Shampoo

[daisylubob]

It was an oatmeal shampoo. I also read that diluted Listerine rinse could kill the bacteria. And I think we have some chlorhexadine shampoo at home that I could get. Yes it is weird they would have the same 'stink' and only in summer when wet all the time. which leads me to believe that you are probably on target w/ the bacterial skin infection. I don't notice him itching more than usual, or any redness on his skin. Food is the same, ProPlan Sport ALS 28/18. I will also look for that shampoo. Thanks Snowshoe!

[JenC]

I would rub some brown Listerine into the coat.

[daisylubob]

I would rub some brown Listerine into the coat.

Have you tried this? Do I need to dilute it?

[Snowshoe]

Not Jen but I've tried it. I used the antibacterial listerine since I suspected some kind of bacterial problem, and it was what we happened to have in the house. Worked fine and did cut smell. So does plain vinegar and water. I cut both about 50/50. It might be good to use the vinegar mix for a final rinse.

[POPTOP]

Do you happen to have well water at the cottage? Even with rinsing, that may be the change that is causing the odor.

Do agree with the above recommendations.

[JenC]

We always did 50/50 when we did a show spray.

[Charlotte K.]

We did one part brown Listerine in ten for a show spray. Do not spray on face, but wipe. Listerine itself kills fungus, mildew, bacteria, and the dilution helps with "nervous, overbrushed black dog" dander. Consider using bottled or distilled water for the spray.