My geriatric dog really stinks - any suggestions?

[AliceAirhead]

Have a 14 yr old Border Collie. Though deaf and a tad arthritic, she's still very active and up for walks. As she's got older, she's developed a real stench which is becoming more and more unbearable. I give her a thorough dousing with mild shampoo, but this seems to be becoming increasingly ineffective. The overwhelming pong doesn't seem to be eminating from any orifice inparticular. DH, who's always tolerated having a hound for my sake, is, understandably getting mightlily fed up. The stench is particularly off putting when we're eating - like most dogs she's lurks around the dining table. Any advice for getting her smelling or roses?

[Scuttlebutter]

First things first, off to the vet. I'd suggest a thorough check with a particular emphasis on her anal glands (to check for impaction), her mouth and teeth, her ears and her skin. Is she exhibiting any signs of itchiness or scratching?

Grooming - how often/how thoroughly do you groom her? Do you clip back her coat for the summer or have her professionally groomed? You should be able to bathe her gently (if she is very whiffy) around once a month although some people do their dogs more often than that, and many would do them less frequently. Make sure you use a very gentle shampoo designed for dogs.

Bedding - this should be washed regularly (try to do our dogs' bedding weekly) on a HOT wash.

Ensure all soft furnishings are cleaned thoroughly, and give any carpets a really thorough clean. Carpets really hang on to doggy smells.

Time outdoors - how much time is she spending outdoors/getting exercise?

[AliceAirhead]

Thanks Scuttle. Thinks it's going to have to be the vets then (gulp - cost!) and I'll have to google 'impaction' in the meantime.

I give her a good comb/brush once a week as she has quite long hair. Never had her clipped or professionaly groomed. The showers used to be whenever she was really mucky, now I'm doing it every week with baby shampoo to try and keep the smell at bay. Bedding honks too so that's getting washed every week now. She gets at least one good walk each day, which often includes a dip in the sea or (clean) river. If the weather's fine door's always open and she wanders in and out as she likes. I know old dogs can get a bit pongy, but ours is particularly pungent!

[ellangirl]

Second checking the anal glands at the vets. Smells like nothing on earth- really vile! A smelly dog can be a sign of infection too though I believe.

[multitask]

I would also check around her mouth, older dogs can get infections around the hairline, particularly where the canine teeth rest on the lower jaw. There is a fold of skin there that deepens with age and accumulates dirt and stinky hair (it's usually stained dark orange). If there is any manky hair there give it a good trim (stretch the skin) and scrub with hibiscrub should do the trick. Definately check out the glands too.

[AliceAirhead]

Thanks muchly all. Mouth seems ok. Sounds like the gland thing. Looks like the vets then...