Expert: Nicole - 2/1/2009

Question
My basset's armpits had some kind of infection and we gave her the meds. the vet gave us.  However, now her armpits are still moist (kind of) and the skin seems to stick together and is red.  There is no smell.  Thanks, Chaney

Answer
Hi Chaney,

Mine, too :)  BH's produce an oil, as most scent hounds do.  The oil helps the scent 'stick' to them for a longer period (useful for hunting/tracking).  When a BH isn't kept clean or dry (difficult in the winter) the oil builds up, especially in the arm pits and can turn into a bacterial or fungal infection...this would have been what you were given meds for.

What I've found that helps are babywipes and Gold Bond powder.  Sounds a bit strange, I know, but everyday I wipe Dudley's pits with a babywipe and then put his 'deodorant' on...believe it or not he knows what this means!  lol  It really has helped.

You could also try a dry shampoo but I don't recommend it too much for the armpits as you're supposed to brush it out and there's really no hair in the pits to brush.

Try the wipes and powder and see how that works for you.  Also be sure to keep up with his ears...I've found with mine that his ears tend to match the state of his armpits for some reason :)

Hope this helps!