Please help my house not smell like ass.
November 13, 2013 9:41 PM Subscribe
My new dog seems to have a problem with her anal glands. Which is now my problem.
We adopted Clara from a shelter two months ago. She is around seven years old and spayed. She had problems with loose stool for a while after she got here, and has had problems with housebreaking generally. I think she was not given much attention in her last home, she didn't seem familiar with the concept of going outside.
The loose stool problem seems to have been solved with a change in food, but now we have another problem: something seems to be going on with her anal glands.
I've had dogs before, and I know that anal glands can get infected or need to be emptied, but I have never encountered anything like this dog's ass before. Last weekend when we got up, one of her flanks was entirely soaked with what I can only conclude, based on the smell, was the contents of one or both of her anal glands. And she was laying on the floor of our bedroom. Which has wall-to-wall carpet.
I immediately bathed the dog and went searching for Nature's Miracle, which apparently is not available in our small town. I got the thing that looked most similar, which is Out! Enzymatic Stain & Odor Remover. And my house still smells like my dog's ass.
Two questions:
1. OH MY GOD HOW DO I GET RID OF THE SMELL? 1700SF house of wall-to-wall carpet, who knows where she sat and left this stuff, how do I go about getting rid of the smell without ripping out the carpet?
2. Is there something wrong with her that needs vet attention? She seems fine, I just assumed she somehow emptied one of her anal glands by herself (and we did get her checked out by the local country vet when we adopted her) but should I take her in? I don't want to work hard getting the smell out only to have it happen again.
We adopted Clara from a shelter two months ago. She is around seven years old and spayed. She had problems with loose stool for a while after she got here, and has had problems with housebreaking generally. I think she was not given much attention in her last home, she didn't seem familiar with the concept of going outside.
The loose stool problem seems to have been solved with a change in food, but now we have another problem: something seems to be going on with her anal glands.
I've had dogs before, and I know that anal glands can get infected or need to be emptied, but I have never encountered anything like this dog's ass before. Last weekend when we got up, one of her flanks was entirely soaked with what I can only conclude, based on the smell, was the contents of one or both of her anal glands. And she was laying on the floor of our bedroom. Which has wall-to-wall carpet.
I immediately bathed the dog and went searching for Nature's Miracle, which apparently is not available in our small town. I got the thing that looked most similar, which is Out! Enzymatic Stain & Odor Remover. And my house still smells like my dog's ass.
Two questions:
1. OH MY GOD HOW DO I GET RID OF THE SMELL? 1700SF house of wall-to-wall carpet, who knows where she sat and left this stuff, how do I go about getting rid of the smell without ripping out the carpet?
2. Is there something wrong with her that needs vet attention? She seems fine, I just assumed she somehow emptied one of her anal glands by herself (and we did get her checked out by the local country vet when we adopted her) but should I take her in? I don't want to work hard getting the smell out only to have it happen again.
I'd be calling in a professional carpet cleaner. And that's saying something, because I'm on a tight budget, but anal gland smell in carpet requires the big guns.
And yes, take her to the vet and get the glands expressed properly.
posted by Salamander at 10:08 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
And yes, take her to the vet and get the glands expressed properly.
posted by Salamander at 10:08 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sorry about your puppy.
We just had our carpets cleaned (of dog & cat smells over a period of years) by a pro, 3 rooms $150 (yelp and call around for quotes).
We thought about renting a carpet cleaning machine but this guy was in and out in less than an hour. You do need to move furniture beforehand. Totally worth it. Smell is gone, baby, gone.
However we don't have wall-to-wall carpet, we have wood floors with large carpets.
Tip: If you have pads under the carpets, this can be where the odor hangs out. Replacing the pad is cheap, typically.
posted by artdrectr at 10:08 PM on November 13, 2013
We just had our carpets cleaned (of dog & cat smells over a period of years) by a pro, 3 rooms $150 (yelp and call around for quotes).
We thought about renting a carpet cleaning machine but this guy was in and out in less than an hour. You do need to move furniture beforehand. Totally worth it. Smell is gone, baby, gone.
However we don't have wall-to-wall carpet, we have wood floors with large carpets.
Tip: If you have pads under the carpets, this can be where the odor hangs out. Replacing the pad is cheap, typically.
posted by artdrectr at 10:08 PM on November 13, 2013
I would have her checked by the vet in case she has some kind of infection that needs treating. Poor girl. If she doesn't have an infection (and clearly there is something wrong because this isn't normal in this quantity) they could advise you on her issue or get you on an expressing schedule.
There are few things that smell worse. A few weeks ago my dog got spooked in my car and it scared the juice right out of him. I know how hard it was to get the smell out of leather, so I can only imagine carpet!
Are you located somewhere where you can get the carpet professionally cleaned? If not, I would try liberally sprinkling baking soda on the rug and scrubbing it in with a stiff broom, then letting it sit for a while. When all else fails, Febreeze the hell out of it and keep the fresh air flowing.
posted by cecic at 10:09 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
There are few things that smell worse. A few weeks ago my dog got spooked in my car and it scared the juice right out of him. I know how hard it was to get the smell out of leather, so I can only imagine carpet!
Are you located somewhere where you can get the carpet professionally cleaned? If not, I would try liberally sprinkling baking soda on the rug and scrubbing it in with a stiff broom, then letting it sit for a while. When all else fails, Febreeze the hell out of it and keep the fresh air flowing.
posted by cecic at 10:09 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
Nature's Miracle is on Amazon, if that's an option for you.
My vet taught me how to "express" so hopefully yours can do the same for you so you don't have to take poor Clara back to the vet every time she needs a squirt. (sorry)
posted by slmorri at 10:10 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
My vet taught me how to "express" so hopefully yours can do the same for you so you don't have to take poor Clara back to the vet every time she needs a squirt. (sorry)
posted by slmorri at 10:10 PM on November 13, 2013 [1 favorite]
You probably are already aware of some of these deal sites, but (assuming you are still in the Portland, OR area), Amazon Local, Groupon, and Google Offers all have carpet deals going on.* Definitely check Yelp for reviews before purchasing any.
*Living Social is currently undergoing maintenance- boo.
posted by invisible ink at 11:04 PM on November 13, 2013
*Living Social is currently undergoing maintenance- boo.
posted by invisible ink at 11:04 PM on November 13, 2013
Anal sac issues are now thought to be highly associated with food allergies. Many vets are not up to date on this yet but it has been extensively discussed by veterinary dermatologists at conferences recently. Try switching to a limited ingredient diet with a novel protein and no grain (Natural Balance and California Natural make good ones). Feed NOTHING ELSE for several weeks. You may need to try a few different proteins before you find the right one for your dog.
Try to avoid having the sacs expressed if you can, since this can cause damage leading to leaky sacs and/or the dig losing the ability to express them on her own. Adding fiber like canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) can help.
posted by biscotti at 2:48 AM on November 14, 2013 [3 favorites]
Try to avoid having the sacs expressed if you can, since this can cause damage leading to leaky sacs and/or the dig losing the ability to express them on her own. Adding fiber like canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) can help.
posted by biscotti at 2:48 AM on November 14, 2013 [3 favorites]
biscotti, I've never heard that you shouldn't express the anal glands. Every vet I've ever spoken to says precisely the opposite, but perhaps it varies from dog to dog.
Anyway, should you and your vet determine that regular anal-glad expression is necessary, it's actually not difficult -- and not too terribly gross, really -- to do this yourself. This minute-and-a-half-long video, posted by a vet, has all the info you need.
posted by Dr. Wu at 7:24 AM on November 14, 2013
Anyway, should you and your vet determine that regular anal-glad expression is necessary, it's actually not difficult -- and not too terribly gross, really -- to do this yourself. This minute-and-a-half-long video, posted by a vet, has all the info you need.
posted by Dr. Wu at 7:24 AM on November 14, 2013
Apparently I recommend this stuff at least once a month, but Nok-Out Odor Eliminator is what you are looking for in regards to the smell in the carpet. You will probably have to go around and...er..."smell test" where the stinky spots are, then clean them with conventional carpet shampoo (or just shampoo your whole place), then saturate the stinky areas with the odor remover. I know.
posted by Ouisch at 7:51 AM on November 14, 2013
posted by Ouisch at 7:51 AM on November 14, 2013
I agree with adding some fiber to the diet. My dogs get a spoonful of canned pumpkin (NOT PIE MIX) in their food every morning. They love it.
I am not sure that the amount in a dog's anal glands would be enough to actually cause your dog to be visibly wet and leave a spot on carpet. Be sure you describe this part to the vet because it may be something else. My own dog will empty his anal glands when startled/frightened, but the amount is negligible (though the smell is HORRENDOUS - but it all cleans up easily with Petastic or Nature's Miracle).
You'll need a professional carpet cleaner, and be sure you mention the pet odor issue specifically when you call. They deal with this all the time.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 8:38 AM on November 14, 2013
I am not sure that the amount in a dog's anal glands would be enough to actually cause your dog to be visibly wet and leave a spot on carpet. Be sure you describe this part to the vet because it may be something else. My own dog will empty his anal glands when startled/frightened, but the amount is negligible (though the smell is HORRENDOUS - but it all cleans up easily with Petastic or Nature's Miracle).
You'll need a professional carpet cleaner, and be sure you mention the pet odor issue specifically when you call. They deal with this all the time.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 8:38 AM on November 14, 2013
Our old dog had an infection and an open sore near her anus that caused a similar awful smell. After two rounds of antibiotics, the infection cleared and we're back to just the normal doggy smells.
posted by underthehat at 9:13 AM on November 14, 2013
posted by underthehat at 9:13 AM on November 14, 2013
You really need to bring the dog to a vet: This isn't a normal thing that happens with dogs around the house.
As far as cleaning the carpets you can use a homemade solution: a.) Make a solution of 1:1 white vinegar & hot water with a few drops of soap. Soak your carpet with it, then suck out as much liquid as you can with a wet/dry vac. Air dry the rest. Smell should be gone when dry. or b.) Make a solution of 16 oz. hydrogen peroxide, 1 tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp dish soap. Pour on the affected area of carpet & work it in well with fingers or a scrub brush. Let it dry, then vacuum up any powdery residue.
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 11:21 AM on November 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
As far as cleaning the carpets you can use a homemade solution: a.) Make a solution of 1:1 white vinegar & hot water with a few drops of soap. Soak your carpet with it, then suck out as much liquid as you can with a wet/dry vac. Air dry the rest. Smell should be gone when dry. or b.) Make a solution of 16 oz. hydrogen peroxide, 1 tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp dish soap. Pour on the affected area of carpet & work it in well with fingers or a scrub brush. Let it dry, then vacuum up any powdery residue.
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 11:21 AM on November 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Clara has an ass-inspection appointment at the vet tomorrow at 3. (Though her problems with the food we tried first seem like maybe this could be food-allergy related, per biscotti.)
The people who are recommending various carpet-cleaning solutions: are these things you have tried on this particular anal sac fluid issue, or are these just general carpet-cleaning recommendations? I don't want to try the peroxide thing only to wind up with no improvement in smell, and perhaps bleached carpet (does peroxide bleach carpet? My carpet is dark brown).
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:57 PM on November 14, 2013
The people who are recommending various carpet-cleaning solutions: are these things you have tried on this particular anal sac fluid issue, or are these just general carpet-cleaning recommendations? I don't want to try the peroxide thing only to wind up with no improvement in smell, and perhaps bleached carpet (does peroxide bleach carpet? My carpet is dark brown).
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:57 PM on November 14, 2013
I've used both the vinegar and peroxide mixes succesfully for various things including cat urine, cat barf, dog pee, mold, poo stains, sewer backup; but not for dog-butt secretions. I wouldn't use the peroxide one on brown carpet (the rugs I used that on were off-white/light beige). However I have used the vinegar one on a dark blue carpet for a sewage backup and it worked well.
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 2:21 PM on November 14, 2013
posted by cuddles.mcsnuggy at 2:21 PM on November 14, 2013
Response by poster: For anyone interested in a followup, we took Clara to the vet on Friday and he couldn't find anything wrong with her anal glands, or anything else for that matter. So I guess I'm just going to shrug and believe that she was on the wrong food and that's what happened. On Saturday we cleaned the carpet with Nature's Miracle and laundered the couch covers with vinegar and baking soda and the cushions with Nature's Miracle, and things still smell bad... so we'll keep working on that. I'm having a birthday party for my kid in 3 weeks and I'm very much hoping I can get the smell under control by then. We will probably hit the spots with a steam cleaner, and if that doesn't work, rent a carpet cleaning machine and use the Nature's Miracle in that.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:47 AM on November 19, 2013
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:47 AM on November 19, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
Keep looking for the miracle.
posted by oceanjesse at 10:06 PM on November 13, 2013 [2 favorites]