Male Siamese

Question
I adopted a 6 month old neutered male flame point siamese about a week and a half ago (from a shelter). Ever since we got him, we have noticed that he has a strange smell. Sometimes it goes away, but most of the time it is there. His fur smells something between a sulfur and ammonia smell. To describe it better, he smells like permanent (perm) solution at a beauty shop. He had his paperwork that he had just been to the vet, and they gave him the all clear health wise. What could this be? I have never experienced this before with any cat we have ever owned. What could the "perm" like smell be???

Answer
Hi Rebecca.  I'm wondering if your kitty was given a flea dip at the shelter.  This would definitely give him that permy smell, and it can last for weeks.  Or, he may have been bathed with a shampoo to protect against or treat for a fungal or bacterial skin infection.  These are sulfur-based.  You could call the shelter and ask.  Besides that, the only things that I can think of would be a mouth infection, and when he grooms, foul-smelling bacteria are deposited on his fur.  Or, kidney failure.  If the kidneys don't filter out ammonia and it builds up in his blood, the smell can actually permeate through his skin.  But in this case, you'd undoubtedly see an extremely sick kitty.  If the shelter didn't dip him or bathe him, I would have to say it would be a good idea to have him checked out by a vet, just in case.