Understanding Bacteria That Smell Like Wet Dog
Have you ever caught a whiff of something that reminds you of a wet dog? That unpleasant scent is likely caused by certain types of bacteria. While smelling like a wet dog may seem harmless, it can be an indicator of a more serious underlying health condition.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes of bacteria that create a wet dog odor, where they are commonly found, and what you can do to eliminate them.
Causes of Bacteria That Smell Like Wet Dog
There are a few specific types of bacteria that are known for producing a smell reminiscent of a wet dog:
- Proteus bacteria - Found in the digestive tract, these bacteria produce foul-smelling compounds containing sulfur and ammonia, which can cause odors.
- Pseudomonas bacteria - This bacteria thrives in damp places on the skin and can cause infections. It gives off a sweet, grape-like or wet dog smell.
- Acinetobacter baumannii - Typically found in soil and water, this bacteria is known for its distinct wet dog scent when isolated in the lab.
The wet dog odor is caused by bacterial production of acidic and sulfur compounds. When certain bacteria grow under the right conditions, they produce these smelly chemical products as waste or as byproducts of their metabolism.
Let's look closer at two of the main offenders:
Proteus Bacteria
Proteus bacteria are part of the normal flora of the human digestive tract, but they can sometimes overgrow and cause infections, especially in the urinary tract. The species Proteus mirabilis is one of the most common causes of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Proteus UTIs often smell foul, like a wet dog. This is because proteus bacteria produce putrescine and cadaverine - compounds that contain amines and sulfur and have a very unpleasant odor.
A proteus infection in the urinary tract allows these smelly compounds access to the urine, causing a strong foul odor. The smell can be especially bad when the urine is old or concentrated.
Pseudomonas Bacteria
Pseudomonas bacteria are commonly found in soil and water, but can also grow on the skin. Pseudomonas folliculitis is a skin infection of the hair follicles that produces pustules and a distinctive grape-like or wet dog odor.
The species Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for its sweet, grapey scent in lab cultures. But in infectons like folliculitis, the odor can smell more like a wet dog due to the bacteria's production of sulfur compounds.
Pseudomonas thrives in moist areas and can also infect wounds, the sinuses, the outer ear canal, and the lungs in cystic fibrosis patients. The wet dog smell in these cases provides a clue to the Pseudomonas infection.
Where Bacteria That Smell Like Wet Dog Are Found
Now that you know which bacteria can cause a wet dog odor, where are they typically located?
Urinary Tract
As mentioned, proteus bacteria are a common cause of UTIs. An infection in the urinary tract allows smelly compounds access to the urine, producing a foul wet dog smell.
Signs of a UTI include:
- Frequent urination
- Burning with urination
- Urgency to urinate
- Smelly, cloudy urine
- Pelvic pain
See your doctor if you experience these symptoms for a urine test and UTI treatment.
Skin and Hair Follicles
Pseudomonas can infect the skin and hair follicles, especially in moist, warm areas like the armpits and groin. This causes a condition known as Pseudomonas folliculitis with red bumps and pus-filled pimples that may produce a wet dog smell.
Pseudomonas thrives in damp areas, so keeping skin clean and dry can help prevent infections. Avoid sharing hot tubs, swimming pools, and other unsanitary water sources which can harbor the bacteria.
Wounds
Deep wounds like puncture wounds can become infected with pseudomonas bacteria. As the infection develops, you may notice a sweet, grape-like scent coming from the wound as the bacteria multiply.
Signs of an infected wound include:
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Redness, swelling, and warmth around the wound
- Fever
- Increased pain, throbbing
See a doctor right away if your wound shows signs of infection for treatment with antibiotic medications.
Lungs
Individuals with chronic lung conditions like cystic fibrosis are prone to pseudomonas lung infections. As the bacteria take hold, patients may cough up thick, greenish mucus with a grape-like or wet dog odor.
Pseudomonas also infects the lungs in other settings like ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospital intensive care units. The smell can help doctors identify the bacteria as the likely culprit.
How to Get Rid of Bacteria That Smell Like Wet Dog
If you're experiencing foul wet dog odors, what's the best way to get rid of the offending bacteria?
Antibiotics
Antibiotic medications are used to treat established infections like UTIs, wound infections, pneumonia, etc caused by proteus, pseudomonas, or other bacteria. Your doctor can prescribe the appropriate antibiotic once the bacteria is identified.
It's important to take the full antibiotic course as prescribed to eliminate as much bacteria as possible.
Improved Hygiene
Practicing good hygiene can help prevent bacteria like pseudomonas from colonizing the skin and causing infections in the first place.
- Bathe regularly and wash problem areas like armpits, groin, and feet daily.
- Thoroughly dry yourself after bathing - moisture allows bacteria to thrive.
- Avoid sharing items like towels, razors, and loofahs which can transfer bacteria.
- Wear clean, breathable fabrics like cotton which discourage bacterial growth.
Disinfect Wounds
Be vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting any wounds, especially deep ones prone to pseudomonas infection. Wash hands before touching wounds and keep the area clean and dry.
See a doctor at the first sign of infection for prompt treatment.
Limit Exposure
Since proteus thrives in the digestive tract, practice good food safety habits to avoid ingesting bacteria that could lead to UTIs or gut issues:
- Wash hands before preparing food
- Cook meat thoroughly
- Avoid unpasteurized milk/juice and raw sprouts
- Rinse fruits and vegetables
- Avoid cross-contaminating kitchen surfaces
For pseudomonas, avoid using humidifiers which can disseminate the bacteria. Be careful using hot tubs, pools, and other shared water sources as well.
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you notice persistent foul wet dog odors, which could indicate an underlying infection needing treatment.
See a doctor right away for symptoms like:
- Burning urination
- Frequent need to urinate
- Red, swollen, warm skin
- Pus coming from a wound
- Coughing up green, foul-smelling phlegm
- Fever along with odor symptoms
Don't ignore stubborn wet dog smells thinking they will just go away. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can help resolve the odor and prevent complications.
When Odors Indicate Something Serious
Most of the time, bacteria that smell like a wet dog are just annoying but not too concerning. However, foul odors in some instances can signal a more major health problem requiring medical care.
Bowel Leakage or Incontinence
Loss of bowel control causing leakage of stool can lead to a pronounced wet dog smell. This happens when proteus bacteria on the skin encounter fecal matter.
See your doctor to determine the cause, such as:
- Nerve damage from diabetes or spinal cord injury
- Constipation
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Medication side effects
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Childbirth injury
Treating the underlying condition can help resolve bowel leakage and associated odors.
Liver or Kidney Disease
When the liver or kidneys aren't working well, waste products can build up in the body. This allows substances like ammonia and sulfur compounds to be excreted through the skin, producing a characteristic foul, wet dog smell.
See a doctor promptly if you detect this odor, as it may indicate serious undiagnosed liver issues like hepatitis or cirrhosis, or kidney failure.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes caused by severely elevated blood sugars. As the body breaks down fat for energy, acidic ketones are produced causing a fruity odor on the breath.
But as ketoacidosis progresses, proteus bacteria can take hold and create a foul wet dog smell. This odor indicates a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
The Bottom Line
While bacteria that make you smell like a wet dog can be annoying, they are usually not cause for major concern. Practice good hygiene, avoid infections, see a doctor for lingering odors, and get prompt treatment if the smell could indicate something more serious.
With proper care, you can nip those pesky wet dog bacteria in the bud and keep your personal scent fresh and pleasant.