What to do if your dog or cat is Skunked

If your dog or cat has been sprayed by a skunk, your first thought will undoubtedly be to give your pet a bath. However, you need to know that your pet might be in danger of more than just a bad body odor.

An encounter with a skunk can expose your dog to rabies contamination.

Check your pet for bite marks, scratches or other injuries from the skunk attack. Treat any wounds and see your Vet immediately.

Even if your dog or cat shows no visible signs of injury, arrange a visit with the Vet as soon as possible, as your pet may have been sprayed in the face, exposing his eyes, nose and mouth to possible infection.

Your Veterinarian will probably recommend you get a rabies booster shot within 72 hours of your dog or cat being "skunked" even if your pet's rabies vaccination is still current.

Forget the old wives tale about using tomato juice to cut the skunk smell. It may cover the odor, but it won't really eliminate it.

Use the following ingredients to make a "de-skunking shampoo":

• 1 quart Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1/4 to 1 cup baking soda
• 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap

Mix together in a plastic bowl. Wet your dog or cat's coat and apply the mixture thoroughly until you've worked up a good lather, being careful to avoid your pet's eyes, ears and mouth.

Ideally, leave the shampoo in your pet's coat for 5 to 10 minutes to soak up as much of the smell as possible before rinsing. You may need to apply a second time, depending on how badly your dog or cat was sprayed.

If your pet's eyes appear red or watery, you can use a sterile eyewash solution to rinse them.

1. Discard any of the unused shampoo mixture by pouring down the drain while running water. Do NOT store the mixture in a bottle or closed container as it can burst or explode.
2. Be sure to use Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), not Baking Powder or Washing Soda. Washing Soda in particular can be caustic to your hands and your pet's skin.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide decomposes over time. If yours has been around the house for quite a while, it may be worth a trip to the drug store for a fresh bottle.

The hardest part may be getting your dog or cat to remain still for 5 or 10 minutes to let the shampoo to soak up the smell.

Dogs, in particular, will want to shake the water off. But if you (gently) hold their ear, it will generally keep them from shaking.

With cats, probably your best bet is to wrap the wet cat in a towel to restrain them as carefully as you can.