Pet Information > ASK Experts > Ask the Veterinarian > Bad Odour/loosing fur

Bad Odour/loosing fur

18 15:40:18

Question
hi! i own a 3-year old male black lab. he is having a peculiar problem of losing fur in excess than normal and a vry peculiar smell comes from the place he sits even for 10-15 minutes......i used pH balanced shampoos for his bathing. his skin is extremenly dry and due to the odour problem he has, i hav to give him a bath atleas once every two weeks. All his vaccination is ok and always done on time..i live in India & presently the weather here is hot and slightly humid.  please tell me what should i do because though i luv him sooo much bt it becomes impossible to touch him due to hat stinking smell/odour that starts coming out of his body so severly after one week of bath...if touch him just to applause him or to show luv...i have to wash my hand with soap...i have a little baby girl in my house who will start moving on her knees in next 2-3 months...and as u know toddlers hav a habit of putting everything in their mouth...wat shud i do as the fur of the dog is present verywhere in the house (he losse his fur in excess too..)
please guide me wat shud i do......? i will b greatly thankful to you...and lease reply asap....please
..

Answer
This is seborrhea and it is caused by allergy. The skin gets inflammed and the oil glands secrete oils.  The oils are broken down by the bacteria and yeasts on the skin and that is what causes the odor.

So treatment involved treating the allergies with steroids, treating the oily skin with special seborrrheic shampoo, and using an antibiotic and/or an antifungal drug to kill the baceria and/or yeasts on the skin.