by Erich Rosenberger M.D.

Created on: December 29, 2008

You are most likely frantically reading this article because your pet has just had a run in with a skunk. Right? I feel your pain. The memory of my dog's entanglement with a skunk a almost a decade ago remains vividly imprinted in my memory - the raging headache from the stench, the tomato juice splattered all over the bathroom floors and walls, the struggle not to gag. The good news is that the smell will eventually go. The bad news is that completely removing skunk odor from your cat or dog is next to impossible. However, there are some steps you can take to greatly reduce the odor.

Understanding what skunk spray is can help you plan your mode of attack. A skunk's spray is essentially a liquid oil composed largely of thiols. Thiols are the sulfur analogues of the -OH alcohol group; they contain sulfur-hydrogen functional groups (-SH). Thus your challenge is to remove the thiol-containing oils from poor Fluffy's fur. Unfortunately, thiols bind strongly to skin proteins, but it is possible to change the thiols into compounds that have little or no odor by oxidizing the thiols to sulfonic acids.
Before you start attempting this, make sure to:
1) Avoid touching your pet with your bare hands. As distressed as little Fluffy may seem, you'll regret it if you attempt to sooth your pet without putting plastic gloves on.
2) Do not - I repeat, do NOT - bring your pet inside. The last thing you need is to spread the noxious smell throughout your home. If possible, keep Fluffy outside to reduce your cleanup job.
3) Check your pet's eyes. Skunk spray acts like tear gas and can even cause momentary blindness. If Fluffy's eyes are irritated, human eye drops can provide some relief.
You now have three options. For your sanity, I strongly recommend the first:
1) Grab Fluffy, wrap her in an old towel, and then race to your local PetSmart. PetSmart offers a de-skunking package. Although expensive, it's worth it. Granted, Fluffy won't be smelling like rose petals when you pick her up, but her smell will be dramatically improved. Over the next few weeks, the skunk odor will disappear completely.
2) If PetSmart isn't an option (or you like a good challenge) make a trip to your grocery store and buy tomato juice. A lot of it. Remember, thiols bind strongly to skin proteins, so it is likely that you'll have to give your pet several douses with tomato juice before the smell will improve. When you think you've gotten rid of the majority of the stench, make sure to get a second opinion from a neighbor. It is likely that your nose will habituate to the smell, so you may think things are looking up only to have your neighbor collapse into a fetal position on the floor from the stench.
3) Mix one quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and one teaspoon of liquid soap to create your own de-skunking solution. The hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate will oxidize the thiols to non-odious compounds. Although the solution is mild enough to use on Fluffy, be forewarned that it may change her hair color.
Again, I strongly recommend PetSmart's de-skunking package. Whatever you choose, rest assured that things can only get better from here. Although it is highly unlikely that you will be 100% successful in removing the skunk odor, over time it will dissipate. Eventually, you will be able to laugh about this experience. I promise.

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