Well we went, and to be honest it was a bit of a waste of time. It wasn't our favourite vet unfortunately so apart from being nearly £70 lighter, and now having a bottle of Malaseb and a tube of Logic Gel (my request) we are no nearer finding the cause or a solution to the pong-monster.
Firstly the vet didn't bother with any preliminaries just dived straight in. Buddy didn't take too kindly to it all and I am now thinking that we may need to neuter him sometime after all. She had to put a soft muzzle on him in the end so that she could sniff all over him. Mind you I was the only one offering treats!
She felt that one ear smelt very slightly but wasn't convinced it was the source of THE smell. His skin is all dry and intact as far as we could see. His lip folds are clean and look "pretty good for a cocker", his paws weren't especially smelly. She did say that some dogs are just a bit farty. But I would recognise that smell!!
She emptied his anal glands which were a bit full (his poos have been a bit looser lately) but again, not infected.
She suggested I try weekly Malaseb baths just in case that's the cause. She described the smell as slightly yeasty. So it might do the trick. Other than that, I guess I just keep on doing what we do and hope it clears up.
I am relieved that at least she didn't tell me to stop him swimming, I don't think we could to be honest!
Re the Malaseb. Does anyone know if I can use the "scrunchy" method to apply it? Or is it best to apply it directly. I have read the instructions and all it says is to apply it to certain spots and work it in all over. But since discovering the "scrunchy method" I much prefer to do that.