Dogs may also develop unnatural odors as a result of skin disease or other disorders or may become contaminated with odors from other sources in their environment. Make sure the skin is ok and there is no skin infection. Cockers can dveelop skin infection with yeast and bacteria easily and this can cause bad odor.
Dogs also have numerous apocrine glands in their external ear canals. In this location they are referred to as ceruminous glands. The ear canals also have numerous sebaceous glands. Together these two sets of glands produce natural ear wax, or cerumen. Micro-organisms live naturally in this material and give the ears a characteristic slightly yeasty odor even when healthy. When infected, the ears can give off a strong disagreeable smell. Cocker Spaniel's are also prone to ear infection due to their big flapy ears. Ear disease (otitis) can be a source of odor that varies from yeasty to one resembling sewage as either cerumen or pus accumulates in the diseased ear canal.
Severe periodontal disease in the mouth can also cause very bad smell.
About the violent shaking, can you describe it a little more, how doe sit happen? how often? etc.
Dr. B.
Dog Veterinarian
10-yrs of experience in small animal practice, advanced training in dentistry and oral surgery
Chelsea ( my cocker) has poor skin - lots of wart type bulges. Her ears seem to be ok and her shaking happens only from time to time and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it.
Thanks for your help.
Shaking can be a tremor syndrome exacerbated with emotional (anxiety) and/or physical activity. Your veterinarian needs to perform a full neurologic exam, if it turns out normal I wouldnt worry about it. Some of these tremors are benign.
Warts you see on the skin are possibly benign sebaceous hyperplasias, but get them checked just in case.
Dr.B.