This is my first post to the forum so please go easy on me.

I have a 16 week old cocker spaniel bitch who stinks of urine. I don't want to bath her too often and have used baby wipes to help clean her. But she doesn't seem to bother licking herself clean. I am considering shaving the area around her back legs to try to help.

Is this normal? Will she improve on her own? Is there anything I could do to help?

Thanks in advance.

Have you got her checked our for an infection ?

Doesn't sound at all normal. Is she leaking urine do you think ?. Maybe she has an infection - I'd pop her to the vet.

Trimming the longer hair around her vulva will mean there is less to pick up the urine when she squats but I agree that a urine test is required to rule out infection. Hopefully it is just a simple infection cleared up with one course of antibiotcs but some bitches till they have their first season have difficulty fully emptying their bladder due to the vulva needing to "pop" and putting less pressure on the urethra which exits low in the vagina near the vulva, the residual urine then becomes infected and smelly, if the problem persists the vet can check how much urine remains in the bladder after she has wee'd naturally.

Have you contacted her breeder with your concerns? They may be able to make a suggestion or know of any such problems in the past in the line.

The smell seems to come from her coat on her legs. She just doesn't seem to lick herself like other dogs I've had in the past. Many thanks for your replies. Will be making an appointment with the vet just to be safe.

> The smell seems to come from her coat on her legs.

Bitches squat to pee so she should not be able to pee on her legs (sometimes boys pee on the backs of their front legs because of the different anatomy.

Are you she she is simply not getting her legs wet from the mud and standing water that seems to be a  feature of even normally dry gardens these days due to the totally waterlogged ground.

Mine come in with their paws stinking like a bog, its' vile, my mats are being washed daily and the kitchen floor constantly mopped and the dogs feet washed off with a wet cloth and then dried of with a towel.

Maybe the wee smells/tastes so bad it is stopping her from cleaning herself. How long has she been with you? Is she getting enough to drink to dilute her urine? Has she had a change of food?

All things the vet may want to know.

Although it's been very wet outside, this is certainly pee.

She has only been with us for about a week and has always been smelly. If anything she drinks quite a lot. Definitely visiting the vet.

Sounds like a UTI to me.

> She has only been with us for about a week and has always been smelly

I'd second a vet check but if it turns out not be an infection are there any other clues?  Where did she come from - was she a rescue or kennel dog? This might explain the smell if she was unwashed or unkempt and perhaps she isn't fully housetrained.  What sort of bedding do you have her on and does she smell worse in the morning?  Some puppies don't learn to wash themselves or don't start to do it until they are a bit older, regular grooming from you will help and encourage her.

A friend of mine always used to say that puppies smelt of wee and weetabix - whatever you feed them - but this is usually a nice smell !

Pups that are fed kibble do drink a lot but if you think her intake is abnormal then don't forget to mention it to the vet.  Let us know how you get on :)

It's v common for female pups to get UTIs, so definitely get her checked out.  Especially if you don't know her history as you've only had her a week, a vet check would be in order anyway.

It does sound like a UTI so a trip to the vets is a must.
I use baby wipes to keep my cockers clean in between grooms.  They tend to get whiffy in between the back legs, tum and ears so I just give them a clean up every few days/weekly.  They are pongy, sweaty type dogs.  Especially under the ears!
Also, depending on how hairy she is, she may soak up the urine from where she is going.  My old lady had got a bit over-grown over the christmas period and although she was getting baths, she would stink within days again.  She was peeing on the flagstones and it was running into her hair on her feet.  Phew!  She was groomed properly yesterday and what an improvement!

I have had cockers for over 20 years and have two now. I keep their coats short as aside from being sponges and bringing home half the wood or mountain otherwise, their natural oil in their coat can be a bit odourous. Though I like it. But I have never had any of them stink of urine. I clip and bathe mine every 8 weeks myself. I find its the only way as they both sleep with me. Hope your girl is ok. She is an ideal age for her first trip to the groomer too.

Many thanks everyone for your help.

We had her to the vets yesterday and vet confirmed it was a UTI. On antibiotics now. Also getting groomed soon which will help.

Thankyou

Great news glad you have found out what the problem is and she will be less smelly and feeling better soon

Poor girl would have been in pain.  So pleased that she is going to be feeling more comfortable soon.  Bless her.