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Mista Max and the Vineyard Skunk

By: Mista Max

Skunk odor removal from dogs

We decided to drive the USATrek.com camper van from Montana to the Vineyard so Mista Max the company Rhodesian Ridgeback mascot could come.

Sheila's family has had a home on the Vineyard for over 100 years, and the family gathers there every summer.

I started hearing about the skunks on the Vineyard. They can be found everywhere. In Montana, it is well known that there are only two animals which won't run from a dog. One of them is not a Grizzly Bear. A porcupine, and a skunk. Most country dogs come home with a snout full o quills..........once. And get pee'd on by a polecat.......once.

Somehow, I just prayed, Mista Max would be spared the skunk experience. Especially on the Vineyard.

One night, I took him out in the yard, just before bedtime. He bolted chasing something out of the yard. I heard a commotion in the bushes, and he came back, making weird slurping kind of noises. I couldn't smell him, till I saw him frothing at the mouth.

Thank God Sheila had heard of a skunk odor remedy for dogs, as the resources on the internet were pretty weak. Luckily we had the ingredients, as all the stores were closed. I sponge bathed his head and chest, being careful of the eyes. We left it on him about an hour and then rinsed him with the hose. He smelled ok, but not perfect, and in fact slept in our room that night. A second bath the next day took care of the problem

The recipe for skunk-odor removal is a hydrogen peroxide/baking soda recipe:

1 Quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup of Baking Soda
1 teaspoon of Liquid Soap
Wash while mixture is bubbling... rinse off with tap water.

The quantities described here are for a small Jack Russell. Scale up as necessary. Use FRESH Hydrogen Peroxide... H2O2 will eventually turn into water.

This mixture can be explosive, as it will fizz and creates pressure if it is enclosed in a seal tight container. Never store unused portion, always discard. Be sure to only mix in an open container and do not try to store or cover it in any way. Do not get the mixture into the dog's eyes, nose or mouth, if you can help it. If you rinse right away, a little in the eyes or mouth will not hurt.


The oxygen in the Hydrogen Peroxide releases the Thiols (the odor part) as it foams up, and the detergent removes the oily part that holds the odor in the animal's fur. Chemically, this mixture neutralizes the odor. MAGIC.

I HAD ENVISIONED HAVING A SKUNKDAWG FOR 2 OR 3 WEEKS!



Eye Ulcerations

It is probably a myth that skunk spray can cause permanent blindness. When gotten into the eyes the spray often causes temporary blindness, and burns like crazy, but there are no documented cases of skunk spray causing permanent blindness in a dog.

If you dog does end up with ulcerations of the cornea, crate the dog for several days and load it up on antibiotics (cephelaxin is fine). The only thing to fear is infection. The important thing is to let the eye rest and heal.

After your dog is sprayed, expect your dog to have small blisters and ulcers around sensitive areas such as lips and ears -- this is normal and will go away. It is caused by the extreme acidity of skunk spray.

Feed and water your dog well and keep warm and rested for at least a week after a skunk encounter.

Road flares placed in a skunk den are said to kill the animal, but if your dog has just been sprayed and stink is pouring out of the hole you may just want to get the hell out of there.

Some cautions

Never enter a dog to a den without a locating collar on (and working!) and without digging tools at hand.

Never enter a dog in undiggable earth such as a concrete building foundation, the compacted floor of a horse stall, or rock dens.

Never enter a dog without tools to dig and the physical ability to do so.

Skunk Toxic Shock

If you dog is hit by a skunk underground you may be in very serious trouble! Get your dog out of the ground as fast as possible.

Even if your dog recovers, he or she may be in trouble. Skunk spray explodes red blood cells, and can cause serious persistent anemia in your dog. Check your dog's gums regularly for at least a two or three hours after being sprayed. If the dog's gums become very pale (almost white), rush your dog to a vet.

Most dogs get out of the ground on their own or with help, and most dogs recover from an underground skunking provided they get out quickly. Time is of the essence, however, and a dog can lapse into a comma after only a few minutes if it is unable to exit a tight earth.

If your dog has pale gums or seems to be in shock, rush it to a vet and make sure your dog is seen immediately. Explain that the problem is MORE than stink: skunk-related shock and anemia can kill a dog.

The best course of therapy is to fully hydrate the dog (an IV may be needed) to speed the flushing of toxins, as well as to dose the dog with Acetycistein (sold as Mucomyst, Fluimucil, Mucolator, or Tixair).

Acetycistein seems to help on a couple of levels -- it helps the dog cough mucous out of the lungs, it strengthens blood cells and the vascular system in general, and it helps prevent reduction in renal function -- a big issue with skunk toxic shock syndrome. Finally, with mercury poisoning, it has helped speed the elimination of the poison through the urinary system -- it may do the same with skunk toxins as well. Since acetylcystein is cheap, easily available and a well-tolerated drug, starting a dog on this would seem to make sense if skunk toxic shock seems to be setting in.