You are here:

Beagles/Stinky beagle

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/19/2009


Question
We have a 10 year old beagle, Copper.  Copper has always had allergies and
receives steroid shots at least twice a year along with antibiotics for his ears.
This past year he has become really, really stinky.  I have him bathed at least
every other week at the groomers.  I launder his bed covers frequently and
put the bedding outdoors on the patio table to air out.  I also cover this with
clean sheets.  He does take a one claritin a day to help him with itching. Is
there anything else we can do? I really miss playing and cuddling with him but
the odor is overwhelming. He is an indoor dog.  Any help would be greatly
appreciated. thanks

Answer
Hi, sorry to hear about the stinky issue with Copper. First and foremost have you had him examined by the vet? If he has an all over smell that tells me it is most likely an internal problem.

If you can identify a specific area that might give me more to go on. Sometimes their eyes weep and that doesnt smell too great. Or they have stinky feet. and of course ears that are infected smell pretty bad too. Impacted anal glands smell kind of like fish but a dog that is bathed as often as you are bathing him, on antihistamines etc shouldnt smell so bad you can't be near him. The only other thing would be if he rolls in stinky stuff which beagles like to do but every day?

I really think it is time to visit a canine dermatologist if the regular vet doesnt know what to do. I wish you the best of luck with this

Beagles

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Have4Paws

Expertise

I am happy to answer BEAGLE BREED SPECIFIC behavioral questions. Please DO NOT ask CRATE TRAINING OR MEDICAL questions! I am not a vet nor an expert in the use of crates.

Experience

I currently have one beagle, a male age 5, an 12 month old Pit Bull, and a 8 year old min. poodle. I have had to let go of three of my dogs, 2 beagles and 1 whippet/rat terrier mix in the past 5 years, most recently my whippet mix. The two beagles lived to 15 and the whippet mix to 13.5, it has been hard to say goodbye to them. I have done rescue work on and off for years as well as fund-raising for the local animal shelter. I worked for a dog magazine in the past (Southern California Dog Magazine). Being a psychotherapist has encouraged me to do in depth studying of animal behavior as well. I have worked with many people to help curb undesirable behaviors in their dogs (or them!) or to form good behaviors. My life is devoted to and surrounded by my dogs........The picture you see here is Zeppelin but we also call him the "miracle dog". He was hit by a car April 2010 while out with the dog walker and had very serious injuries... 4 surgeries and $17,000 later my boy is whole again and back to loving life. He is so special to me and he weathered a lot of pain and trauma yet is still the sweet boy he always was! I also work to stop Breed Specific Legislation and help to get pit bulls adopted.

Organizations
HSUS, PETA, SPCA DONT SHOP...ADOPT!!

Publications
Dog Fancy

Education/Credentials
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in the state of CA and am also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist

Awards and Honors
Honored by the Agoura Animal Shelter for my volunteer work.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.