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unluckynut · Oct 5, 2009, 11:11 PM

What makes a 13 year old black lab smell so bad. Other dogs in same house do not stink. Itching by hind legs and belly, losing hair. Skin looks like elephant skin, very dry. Otherwise happy, and friendly.

shazamataz · Oct 5, 2009, 11:21 PM

I would hazard a guess and say he has a skin infection or mites...

Has he been to the vet and had a skin scraping done to determine the cause?

How often do you bathe him?

unluckynut · Oct 7, 2009, 09:18 PM

Wouldn't the other dogs get mites if that's what is was. Hes not mine but I know he smells right away after a bath. Money is not an easy thing for them. The fish oil pills helped the hair grow bad but the smell fills the house. She'll walk by you outside and you can smell her outside. The smell gets on your clothes, like smoking does. No raw spots on her skin from itching. Help please. Oh a small lump on her neck on the side. Could thyroid smell that bad?

shazamataz · Oct 8, 2009, 01:59 AM

Thyroid problems are a high possibility, symptoms include hairloss, skin problems as well as weight gain so yes, it could be causing the smell.

And no if it was mites (such as dermodectic mange) then the other dogs would not catch it, it's hard to explain but it is similar to stress rashes on people sometimes... the 'mange' is something the dog already has but certain circumstances can make them multiply and attack the dogs skin.

I know money is tight for a lot of people at the moment but they really owe it to the dog to be checked out by a vet, some vets accept payment plans.
With either of the problems I mentioned the dog needs medication.

unluckynut · Oct 9, 2009, 11:42 PM

Thanks for the info, the dogs not gaining weight so I wasn't really sure it kind of threw me. Thanks again I'll pass it along.

shazamataz · Oct 10, 2009, 02:13 AM

Not a problem, please let me know what the problem ended up being when they find out :)

unluckynut · Oct 10, 2009, 12:45 PM

Will do! The dogs master passed away in June, could that be adding to the dogs problem. The house is being fixed up and things are being changed in the house. I'm sure this doesn't help the dog. Poor cricket!

shazamataz · Oct 10, 2009, 08:43 PM

It could be stress, that will certainly make them lose their fur, doesn't usually contribute to the smell though, but you never know...
He might be pulling at his fur or licking excessively.

There could be something in the air due to the renovations, does his skin look red or bumpy? (thinking allergies)

KISS · Oct 10, 2009, 08:52 PM

Maybe the dog was taking thyroid pills. Do you know his vets name? Have you spoke with the dogs vet?

unluckynut · Oct 11, 2009, 07:52 PM

He's not red or raw. But he is black, but I didn't see anything like that. Itch yes. Lick not too much, no more then usually. His not taking anything, no meds of any kind. I guess she'll have to take him to the vet. Thanks for all your help anyway. I was just trying to inform her of different things, so she has an idea of what could be wrong. She did give the dog fish oil pills and that helped with the hair growing back but did nothing to the smell. I'll let you know when I find out anything. Thanks again.