My German Sheppard got sprayed by a skunk in June 2005.  After
multiple baths, wash downs with tomato juice, and various pet store
products, she still smells like a skunk.  This smell is killing me;
how can I get rid of it for good?

Hi progressman,

Forget the Tomato Juice, break out the hydrogen peroxide (3%), baking
soda and dishsoap!  If that fails (I doubt it will if you follow the
directions), the dog will at least smell BETTER, then you can use the
toothpaste method for any residual smell.

Mythbusters had an episode where various methods of skunk smell
removers were tried.

Here's the results discusses in a blog:

Scroll down a bit to "Skunk Decontamination"
http://kwc.org/blog/archives/2004/2004-09-29.mythbusters_solar_death_ray_skunks_what_is_bulletproof.html
The hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishsoap method is the only
effective method, according to Jamie and Adam, hosts of the show. I
saw the episode, it works on people, and I found several recipes that
are safe for pets.


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Here's a Humane Society Newsletter that includes a recipe.

Venango County Humane Society Online - Pet Care
How to Remove Skunk Smell - From our Summer 1996 newsletter 
http://home.usachoice.net/vchumanesoc/skunksmell.html
"We are just passing this information along.  Fortunately, we have not
had to test it. Mel, our former Caretaker, inadvertently captured a
skunk when trying to rescue a lost and frightened cat.  When he
observed the animal in the cage had a pointed nose and was
uncharacteristically marked with broad black and white stripes, he
realized that he did not have a cat in the trap!"

"....Fortunately, it did not emit its usual 'calling card.' " 

"A biologist from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture tested
the following mixture by dousing a road-kill skunk.  The 'fragrant'
animal became completely deodorized.

? 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide formula (from a pharmacy) 
? 1/4 cup baking soda 
? 1 tsp. liquid soap 

Mix together and wash animal, being careful to keep mixture out of
animal's eyes, nose, and mouth.  Rinse with tap water.

*************************************************

Here's a page with another recipe using hydrogen-peroxide, baking soda
and dishsoap.

Deskunking Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets 
http://dan.drydog.com/patsyann/skunk.html

Here's what you'll need:

? 1 quart (or liter) of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2. Use fresh
(unopened) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hydrogen peroxide eventually
turns into water (H2O).
? 1/4 cup (50 ml.) of Baking Soda 
? 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of Liquid Soap 
? 1 pair of plastic or latex gloves 

There's more instructions regarding preparing the mixture, and the
dog, so be sure to read the link.


How it works 
http://dan.drydog.com/patsyann/skunk.html  (same page lower down)
..."First a quote from Dr. Caceci of Texas A&M University: 

Forget what you have heard about tomato juice--it doesn't work. Skunk
spray is mainly composed of low molecular weight thiol compounds.
("Thiols" are compounds with the "-SH radical" attached to a carbon
atom.) In industrial applications, alkaline hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
is used for scrubbing similar compounds from waste gas streams.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, when combined, become a "chemical
engine" for churning out oxygen. That's why it has to be used
immediately after mixing. The soap breaks up the oils in the skunk
spray, allowing the other ingredients to do their work..."

*************************************************

Get That Skunk Smell Out of Your Dog!
http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/p/skunk.htm
There's 4 slightly different recipes here.

*************************************************

TOOTHPASTE METHOD - Toothpaste by eHow Friend
http://www.ehow.com/how_117301_remove-skunk-odor.html
(ignore the tomato juice recommendation, scrol down)
My dog is atrocious for skunks - he never learns. The tomato juice did
nothing; baking soda paste worked pretty well (until he decided to
shake and it flew all over everything, but luckily it is easy to
remove). I was still smelling the odor so I decided to try toothpaste.
Wow! does that work. I worked it into his hair and no more odor! I
could not believe the effect. I have used this at least three times
now and it works each time. The first time I used the red toothpaste.
I had a few people ask what was wrong with him! It drys like a paste,
but he eventually gets a bath or it just wears off. If I miss a spot
and smell skunk - more toothpaste!

*************************************************


Hope this helps!  If I can clarify anything for you, please don't hesitate to ask.


~~Cynthia


Search terms used at Google:
mythbusters skunk smell
dog OR animal "hydrogen peroxide" skunk smell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk
see 
Removing the smell of skunk

What likely happened is the skunk spray dried before it was removed
making it much more difficult to remove.  I wouldn't recomment the
hydrogen peroxide method on an animal though.  If it were to get in
their eyes it could be dangerous and depending on the color of the dog
it could also discolor their coat.  The best method for an animal
would be toothpaste.  Apply a large amount to the entire coat and let
it dry.  The will become hard and fall off.  Leave it on for as long
as possible.  If needed apply another treatment.  This would be the
best method as it's completely safe for the animal.

Tomato juice just gives you a pink dog smelling of skunk. Most sites
suggest some combination of hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid and
baking soda. Experinec has taught me that this mix works well
1 quart  3% Hydrogen Peroxide 
1/4 cup Baking Soda
2 tbsp 	Dish Detergent. 
Mix quickly in a LARGE container and work into the dog's fur. Wait, rinse, repeat

http://www.terrierman.com/skunk.htm
and
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf576594.tip.html

have some ideas. Sure glad we don't have skunks here in Australia!

Wash it in tomatoe juice.  just the same for people.