My 19 month old border collie has developed a bit of a fishy smell which appears to be coming from... ahem... between her legs. She was spayed in june and so its nothing to do with seasons or anything like that. It is not all the time, just occaisionally, but when it happens it is bad (I could smell it in the car today!) She doesn't appear unwell at all, appetite is fine, drinking, (but she never has been a big drinker), her usual active self. I haven't noticed any problems when she pees but she does have a habit of rushing into bushes to do it. Her diet hasn't changed at all (she is on bakers complete). However, it has coincided with a bit of a behaviour change as she is quite agressive towards male dogs. She had never been too keen on dogs as she is nervous, but since we started agility in october she has taken a real dislike to the male collie there. i'm not sure if it is connected, probably just a coincidence but since then she has had a bit of a problem with male dogs, (not all) but not bitches.
Do you think it is just a normal smell or should i take her to the vets? (As it is not consistent i have visions of taking her and then them thinking i have imagined it!)

Anal glands can exude a nasty fishy-type small, so it's possible she has problems in that area. I doubt very much that it is related to her behaviour changes - that is more likely to be related to her spaying.

Thanks, do you think i should get the vet to check her out?
Also can spaying may a bitch aggressive towards dogs? I've not heard of this before, but it would certainly make sense as she has never really had any bad experiences and used to be quite sociable.

She is maturing and that can affect her attitude to other dogs.   Spaying bitches, whilst maybe not making them more aggressive/touchy (although this is debatable) certainly does not reduce aggressive tendancies.

Sorry no idea on the fishy smell

Christine

My Girl has had this on and off aswell for as long as i can remeber it lasts about a day and then dissapears. I asked the vet about this before she was speyed and they could find no problem at all so i tend not to worry now and assume she hasnt washed very well that day!!!LOL

Hope this helps
Brinny

Sounds like anal glands to me too.

I used to have a dog that gave off that smell if he was frightened.  I remember him meeting my sisters dog (bulldog) just before we sat down to dinner. We couldn't get rid of the smell all afternoon. :D

Sandra

it could be vaginitis, that has a fishy smell to it too.. maybe let the vet see her and give his opinion :)

Sandra,

Dogs will release the scent from their anal glands if they are frightened - that's the fishy smell.

Stacey

Have their protein levels checked too, my friends dog was too high!