Dogs, skunks & first aid

[cobb]

I did do a search on this and the last was a thread back in 2007, so I thought it would be good to bring it up again, hopefully for some more input.

First off for skunks I carry the following -

•   1 quart 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
•   1/4 cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
•   1 teaspoon liquid soap or dish detergent
•   Mix these together and bathe ("shampoo" in or rub down) the spray victim thoroughly.
•   Be sure to use this mixture immediately after it is created, as it is unstable.
•   Rinse with tap water afterward, and repeat if necessary.
•   For spray in the eyes, flush with water as soon as possible.

I have heard of including white vinegar, but I do not.  I have been lucky and have not had to use this mixture, so I do not know for sure if it works.  One of my dogs did have a run in with a porcupine a few years ago, as you can see in my avatar, a small scissors and a Leatherman dealt with that.

I make my own dog first aid kit and sometimes I think I carry too much.  One thing that I do seem to use though is saline solution for washing out the dog's eyes if needed and to rinse out any wounds.

So what do you carry for your dogs, what do you think works or doesn't work and if restricted to a minimal, what would be your minimal first aid kit?  I do carry certain items with me in my hunting coat, but have a lot more in my vehicle, like the skunk mixture.

[The General]

That mixture works like a charm (3 times last year).  I don't add the vinegar though.  The only bad thing is the skunk smell is still on the dogs breath.  Hard to get that out.

[cobb]

The only bad thing is the skunk smell is still on the dogs breath.  Hard to get that out.

Kinda funny that you mention that.  I think it was one on the thread here, posted either in 2006 or 2007 that mentioned that they had used mouth wash on the dog to remove the skunk smell and that it worked, plus the dog smelled good.

So..................

[schwinger]

My dog was sprayed last year in SD and I could not think of the ingredients for this at the time but had heard of it. I ended up doing the tomato bath and then using this formula when we got home. Seemed to help but I have heard it works better if done immediatley. Thanks for the reminder by the way, I am heading to SD next weekend.

I also carry a store bought first aid kit and was able to get my hands on a stapler from my Sister who is a Vet Tech.

[The General]

I would have to say all 3 times last year when my dog was sprayed I used to this method within 30 minutes.

[Moving2thecountry]

My dog got into a night-time fight with a skunk last year.  I think it was either a juvenile skunk, or it mostly missed.  My dog's eyes were watering, and we were camping, and I didn't know what to do, so I waited until the morning and gave her a bath.  I figured she learned a lesson.  She hasn't been in a skunk fight since, but I do think I will keep the recipe in mind.

[thunderpout]

Never had a skunk or a porky run-in (knock on wood) with any of my dogs while hunting...had possum and rabid squirrel events at home, so Ive been lucky so far... I always have EMT gel and spray, hydrogen peroxide, saline solution, tweezers, gauze pads, q-tips and a few rolls of that self sticking "horse leg wrap" bandage stuff.... it all fits in a small ammo box... Thats the keep in the car kit... the vest just has a roll of bandages in it, with a bottle of water....

[snow]

Here is the "The Best" solution bar none,works on the dog,your cloths and everything inbetween...

"Skunk Off" get the spray bottle from your local vet to add to your 1st add kit,netrualizes the stank pronto,you can also get the liquid bottle to wash your close if need be.Does'nt seem to have a shelf life either,used some two weeks ago on a bodies dog,the solution was 8 years old and worked great,so good the pup sat in the truck on the way home.

[cobb]

Told the home recipe awhile back to a customer of mine.  Turned out that a family pet of theirs got sprayed and she remembered the recipe, mixed it up and it worked.  She was amazed how well it worked, they had to put their nose into the fur to even get a hint of smell and that was in the chest area only.

So it does work and doesn't cost the $$ of the factory stuff. 

[fishingfinn]

Our dog went to meet a skunk (very friendly lab.), and got sprayed good . Had a few small cans tomato juice which did no good. Sprayed wet head and chest with small amount of full strength SIMPLE GREEN (about 1 oz.). Rubbed in well, rinsed off with COLD water and the smell was gone right now. Repeated the treatment to make sure. It was like a miracle, so we always have some on hand now.

[cobb]

Our dog went to meet a skunk (very friendly lab.), and got sprayed good . Had a few small cans tomato juice which did no good. Sprayed wet head and chest with small amount of full strength SIMPLE GREEN (about 1 oz.). Rubbed in well, rinsed off with COLD water and the smell was gone right now. Repeated the treatment to make sure. It was like a miracle, so we always have some on hand now.

Wow, that is something that I would like some more input on.  Myt wife has a big spray bottle of Simple green to use for cleaning and on cloths before putting them in the washer.  But to work that well on skunk, I would be interested.

[corky]

Here is the "The Best" solution bar none,works on the dog,your cloths and everything inbetween...

"Skunk Off" get the spray bottle from your local vet to add to your 1st add kit,netrualizes the stank pronto,you can also get the liquid bottle to wash your close if need be.Does'nt seem to have a shelf life either,used some two weeks ago on a bodies dog,the solution was 8 years old and worked great,so good the pup sat in the truck on the way home.

My lab tried to flush a skunk two weeks ago and got a direct hit.  He foamed at the mouth and rolled in the dirt for the half mile walk back to the vehicle.  I called the local vet and he had "Skunk off" as well.  It was about $7.00 for a small bottle and it was amazing how the skunk smell went away instantaly.  I noticed both the skunk smell and the Skunk Off smell come back from time to time, especially when the dog gets wet.