Cairn Smell

Question
QUESTION: I wrote you a while ago regarding my little guy (Pacino) smelling bad. I think you asked me to be more specific regarding the smell. Its not a feces smell, its kind of a real bad dog smell. Like a dog ran wild for months, then came in to my house. You suggested different food (Chicken Soup) I tried that for a while with no change. I have since tried Iams lamb and rice, as it says it should be good for dogs with sensitive skin, no improvement. Can you think of anything else that I might try? Should I visit a vet regarding my problem? I have talked to other cairn owners, and they say that they can let their cairn play outside all day, every day, and they still smell fime. (i hate these people by the way) lol j/k. Again, any help you can provide with my problem, I would help it.

ANSWER: Bobby -

Unfortunately, many vets do not take this seriously.

There are 2 things I would try next - at the same time.

1.  I would try another food - specifically Eagle Pack's sardine recipe or Wellness's fish formula (I feed Eagle Pack).

2.  I would put my dog through the skin care regimen located at this link.  It is designed for dogs with a wide range of skin problems, so it should help your little fella.

http://www.cairnrescue.com/docs/SkinCareRegime.htm

Please also make sure he does have an ear infection - something that happens very very often at the same time as skin problems.

If these things do not help, please see a vet and suggest a yeast infection as a problem. They usually result **from** an allergy of some sort as opposed to being the real problem itself, but that will give some way to give some relief while exploring the source more.

Best of luck... I feel bad for you and your dog

-Beth

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have asked several groomers about hand stripping my dog, and they all said it was not required unless I plan on showing him. Do you think that this type of grooming would help with the problem at all?

Answer
Bobby -

You don't really need to have him hand stripped. There is a tool called a Mars Coat King that does almost as good a job and makes us amateurs look like we know what we're doing.

I use that for the body and tail, thinning shears for the face, and then I hand pluck the ears (down to the tiny hairs).

That will get his coat down to where it should be and take out all the old, dead hair. The length of his body hair when you're done should be about 1 - 1.5 inches long with the ears down to just the baby fur right at skin level.

-Beth