Old Dog Smells Like Death: Is It Normal? Vet-Approved Advice for Concerned Owners

Okay, so, my old dog, Buster, he's been with me for like, 15 years. We've been through thick and thin together, you know? But recently, I started noticing this really awful smell coming from him. It wasn't just like, regular dog smell, it was way worse. Honestly, it kind of smelled like...death. And it was freaking me out.

First thing I did was give him a bath. I scrubbed him down real good with his special doggy shampoo, the one that's supposed to help with dry skin. I even cleaned his ears out, thinking maybe that was the source of the stink. But nope, the smell was still there. It was a little better after the bath, but not by much.

Next, I checked his teeth. My vet always said that bad breath can be a sign of bigger problems. I tried to pry his mouth open, and boy, was that a struggle. Old Buster, he's not a fan of having his mouth messed with. But I managed to get a look, and his teeth were pretty nasty. Lots of tartar buildup and his gums looked kind of red and inflamed. I thought maybe his teeth are infected, and that was causing the stink. I got a doggy toothbrush and some special toothpaste and tried to brush his teeth, but Buster was having none of it. He kept snapping at the toothbrush. I called my friend who is a groomer, and he also told me that the bad smell may comes from teeth, but I couldn't deal with it by myself.

• Took him to the vet: Finally, I decided I needed to take him to the vet. I was really worried about him, and I figured the vet would know what to do.
• Vet examined him: The vet gave Buster a thorough check-up. She looked at his teeth, checked his ears, listened to his heart and lungs, and even took some blood for tests.
• Got the diagnosis: Turns out, Buster had a pretty bad dental infection. The vet said that was definitely the cause of the smell. She also found out that he had a kidney problem. She explained that if he has kidney issues, it will produce a weird smell too.
• Treatment started: The vet gave me some antibiotics for Buster's teeth and recommended a special diet for his kidney. He had a full teeth cleaning, and it cost me a bunch.

After a few days on the antibiotics and new food, Buster started to smell a lot better. He's still an old dog, and he still has his moments, but that awful death smell is gone. I'm so glad I took him to the vet when I did. I hate to think what might have happened if I had waited any longer.

So, if your old dog starts to smell like death, don't ignore it. It could be a sign of something serious. Take them to the vet and get them checked out. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to our furry friends.