CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: supergirl on September 05, 2010, 06:04:18 PM

Title: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 05, 2010, 06:04:18 PM
Lexi has an odd smell from time to time - a very strong metallic smell.  Initially I thought it might be anal glands (but she's had no problems in the past).  She's also developed an itchy spot on her neck under her chin - this is quite recent, only noticed it today and the fur is starting to thin a bit.

Any thoughts on either development?
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: spanielcrazy on September 05, 2010, 06:25:26 PM
Could be a hot spot and the smell may be coming from that (anal glands have a fishy smell  :P)

I worked with a groomer who could walk into the room and say "I smell a hot spot!" and be right!  :o 
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: elaine.e on September 05, 2010, 06:27:41 PM
Am I right in thinking that Lexie is your black one? The only black Cocker that I've owned, Sam, had a very strange smell that I used to describe as metallic, but I never knew why. He was a fit and healthy boy with a lovely glossy coat and his own personal swarm of flies on summer walks :005:

But I've never heard anyone else say that their black Cockers had that smell  :dunno:
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: waggytails on September 05, 2010, 06:40:34 PM
My last cocker Millie used to get wet eczema under her chin and that can smell pretty bad.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: spanielcrazy on September 05, 2010, 06:55:53 PM
My last cocker Millie used to get wet eczema under her chin and that can smell pretty bad.


Yes, that's the proper term for hot spots, but I seem to have brain fog today and couldn't think of it  :005:
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: mooching on September 05, 2010, 07:00:43 PM
Just curious (and it may have no bearing on this), but what do you feed her on, supergirl?
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 05, 2010, 07:44:00 PM
Am I right in thinking that Lexie is your black one? The only black Cocker that I've owned, Sam, had a very strange smell that I used to describe as metallic, but I never knew why. He was a fit and healthy boy with a lovely glossy coat and his own personal swarm of flies on summer walks :005:

But I've never heard anyone else say that their black Cockers had that smell  :dunno:

Yup, she's the black one.

Just curious (and it may have no bearing on this), but what do you feed her on, supergirl?

She is fed part dry part barf (dry in the morning and barf for tea)

Its a strange smell - metallic or blood are how I would describe it.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: Ninasmum on September 06, 2010, 09:16:34 AM
Is Lexi spayed?  :shades:    Jo Jo has that smell when she starts to come into season.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 06, 2010, 10:07:22 AM
Is Lexi spayed?  :shades:    Jo Jo has that smell when she starts to come into season.


Yes, she has been spayed (she was a rescue dog) - does make me wonder though, she doesn't have this smell all the time, just occassionally and then it is very strong.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: mooching on September 06, 2010, 10:32:23 AM
supergirl, the dry part isn't Burns, is it?
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 06, 2010, 12:28:37 PM
supergirl, the dry part isn't Burns, is it?

No, CSJ natural superdooper dry
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: Nicola on September 07, 2010, 02:06:37 PM
Caoimhe gets a sort of metallic, almost coppery smell when she's starting to come into season, I s'pose blood smells a bit like that but with Lexi being spayed that rules that out :huh: Do you think the smell is coming from that area? I think I'd get her bits and her anal glands checked out just in case, that smell is usually fishy but I've seen it described as 'metallic' before as well.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 07, 2010, 02:51:00 PM
I guess because it hasn't smelt fishy I ruled out anal glands, but it is coming from that area.  She doesn't scoot or anything and isn't paying alot of attention to her back end  so I'm not unduly concerned - its just a weird smell, I really wanted to make sure that its not a sign of anything more serious.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: ladylola on September 07, 2010, 02:57:16 PM
Anal glands don't always smell fishy.

Ellie has a very weird smell, where as the others smell fishy.

She smells similar to what you are describing. She is a black dog too. So maybe blacks smell different  :lol2:

She doesn't scoot or lick but her anal glands were full when I took her for her boosters. So might be worth getting them emptied.
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 07, 2010, 03:08:24 PM
Oh, b****r  I was hoping to get away without ever having to encounter or deal with anal glands ever in my life >:( 
Will keep an eye on it, so to speak  :lol2:
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: Helen on September 07, 2010, 03:20:49 PM
if you can smell it and it is anal glands then they need 'doing'....and that's what a vet nurse is for  :lol2:  I'd call the vets and see if a vet nurse can check/do her glands ....TBH anything they charge for doing THAT is worth it my eyes  ph34r :020:
Title: Re: Odd smell
Post by: supergirl on September 07, 2010, 03:25:48 PM
if you can smell it and it is anal glands then they need 'doing'....and that's what a vet nurse is for  :lol2:  I'd call the vets and see if a vet nurse can check/do her glands ....TBH anything they charge for doing THAT is worth it my eyes  ph34r :020:

So right - the vet did Flynns (for the short time he was with me) - I gagged and almost fainted at the same time  :020: if thats possible).  Think I might up the chicken wings  ;)