Curly stink tail D:

LoboSpam

So one thing I love about having a spitz is how not bad he smells. But, since he has a curly tail and loves water, there's a hot spot where his tail always covers his back, and it never airs out. Since he plays in water almost daily, this spot has become a vortex of cheesy stink. I try drying it out with a towel right after water play, but any lingering dampness contributes to said stink. Sometimes it only smells when you get close....sometimes he's followed by the scent of rotten Doritos.

Does anyone else have this issue with their dog? Any solutions? Something I can spray/apply to keep what I assume is bacteria growth at bay?

shibamistress

I have never heard of this, and it sounds like something is up with an infection/skin problem. I'd take him to the vet to make sure I knew what I was dealing with before I tried over the counter remedies.

PoetikDragon

I have had two dogs get "hot spots" in front of the base of their tail -- in both cases a skin infection was a contributing factor. The area wasn't wet, but the weather was hot and humid and the dog was in the middle of blowing coat; she had a bunch of undercoat ready to be shed that hadn't been brushed out. Topical steroids did not help, in fact, it seemed to make it worse. Although the spray relieved the itchiness it prolonged the condition. Never have my dogs' hot spots (of any type or location) smelled like anything and I would definitely have a vet look at it, particularly a dermatologist.

LoboSpam

@poeticdragon Did it go away on its own?

PoetikDragon

No, the dogs required antibiotics.

MapleTwinkie

Saigo loves getting bathed and loves jumping into the creek by our house, so I know of the hot spot you're talking about. However, it doesn't stink at all...get it checked out just incase

LoboSpam

I've been chatting with other buhund people too and it seems likely to be a localized yeast infection.

@MapleTwinkie I'm sure it has to do also with his penchant for swimming in the nastiest, most stagnant water he could find, lol

Sangmort

I was going to say, probably yeast infection. Dragoon smells like feet = yeast. ~

BearMom

@LoboSpam I am dealing with stinky yeast as well. I noticed that the smell got worse after his walks outside so I figured out that it's his feet that's yeasty (feet sweating). Tried a vinegar and water soak for his feet today and the stink is gone! I will probably have to do this a couple times a week to keep it under control during the hot, humid summer months.

Also ordered a forced air blower to get him dry after baths. The base of the tail and haunches are tough to get dry by towel only.

Trzcina

I've never even heard of that! But then... I had a Finnish Lapphund, and she both hated swimming and carried her tail down as often as up. Hopefully the vet can sort it out in short order and there will be no more stinky hotspot!

_Ryan_

Vinegar + water, failing that, malaseb. http://www.dermcare.com.au/products/2-uncategorised/55-malaseb (Speak to the vet before using it)

Heidi

Gentian violet treats yeast very effectively, although it does turn everything purple.

BearMom

@Ryan, I found more spots of fungus on the backside of the tail and the chest. Am going the Malaseb route. Do you have personal experience with it?

LoboSpam

Update: I trimmed Lobo's hair on the hotspot (both on the tail and on his back), stopped taking him to the river (much to his disappointment) and started putting some witch hazel in that area on a daily basis. The stink has mostly subsided and will probably go away completely. The skin itself looks perfect. I don't plan on taking him to the vet unless he starts showing discomfort. Or if I saw fungus (whoa). Right now it's really just the pooch equivalent to stinky feet to me.

cezieg

Vet assistant here, I'd bet my last dollar that it's a yeast infection. Skin infections come in two "flavors", bacterial is usually lots of little scabs, yeast is usually stinky and "grimy" feeling. The river shouldn't really be a problem if you can dry him thoroughly with a hair dryer (carefully! so he doesn't get burned!) :P That's up to you though whether the hassle is worth it or not. Antifungals from the vet are usually inexpensive and come in good sized bottles. If it continues then you should definitely take him to the vet and get some topical spray or anti-fungal shampoo. The shampoos are usually 1-2 times per week, so it's not that much of an owner inconvenience. It's cheaper, and more comfortable, to prevent/control the beginning stage than it is to treat an advanced stage

LoboSpam

@cezieg Thanks for the advice! Not going to blow dry the pup, he's terrified of the noise

Yesterday he played in a lake and smelled nasty (not tail stink, but nasty stillwater pond stink) so I gave him a bath. The weird tail smell is completely gone now. I think that and the daily witch hazel cleared it out. Yay!