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Originally Posted by Sciencewoman
Did he wash the dog before bringing it in?
Does tomato juice work, or is that just an old wives' tale?
I'm sorry that happened to you, but your husband's descriptions are hysterical!
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He tried to get it off with his dog’s shampoo, but skunk spray is oil-based and it binds tightly to fur. Regular dog shampoo only removes surface dirt and oils, it doesn’t break down the thiols, which is why the smell lingers.
Tomato juice doesn’t actually remove the skunk smell, it just makes you smell like a skunky tomato soup, lol.
So, skunk spray is oil-based and packed with sulfur compounds (thiols), and tomato juice doesn’t break them down. It just masks the smell for a bit, and once your nose gets used to the tomato scent, the skunk stink is still there.
What does work is a mix of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap, because that actually changes the chemical structure of the thiols and gets rid of the smell completely. I mean, like after regular bathing, the smell eventually goes away. You just don’t want to keep using the concoction until the smell goes away, because it’s really bad for your skin.
And then, skunks are mostly nocturnal and tend to stay in their dens during the winter, only coming out occasionally during warm spells like it is now. Seeing one active during the day, especially this time of year is unusual, and in some cases, it can be a sign that the skunk was sick or acting abnormally.
One of the biggest concerns is rabies, since skunks are a primary carrier of the virus. A skunk that’s out in daylight, disoriented, or unusually aggressive could be rabid. That’s why I wanted to check his dog for any bites or scratches. I mean, even a small wound could pose a risk. But he was up to date on all of his vaccines.
I mean, I just think it’s always better to be safe when it comes to rabies exposure, especially since symptoms can take weeks to appear, and once they do, it’s fatal. And he’s always been such a sweet dog.
Yes, my hubby is ridiculously silly, sometimes annoying, but always keeps me laughing. Life with him is never boring.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands
I heard that about tomato juice too.
CG, what’s the difference between those two scientific words in your post that begin with T? I don’t feel like trying to cut and paste or spell it Lol.
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So, there’s thiols and thioacetates. Thiols are the sulfur-based compounds I mentioned that smell really bad, really fast. And then they stick to fur, skin, and fabric like glue, which is why they’re so hard to wash off.
Then there’s the sneak attack, thioacetates. They don’t smell much at first, but when they mix with water or oxygen, they turn into more thiols. That’s why even after a bath, a skunked dog (or person) can suddenly start smelling really bad again when they get wet.
Hybrid Mode
