We all want our pets to look and feel clean and beautiful.
Grooming is part of every day care. But sometimes pet owners don’t
realize there can be hazards associated with grooming until after
their pet comes home and there is a problem. Use these tips to stay
informed when choosing a new groomer.
Every pet
requires a certain amount of grooming on a regular
basis. Grooming services can range from a basic wash, cut/clip, nail
trim, teeth brushing, and anal gland expressing to name a few. Each pet
will respond differently to the grooming experience depending upon their
past encounters. Unfortunately, pet grooming can come with some
risk for your pet. The risk may stem from the dog’s anxiety and being jumpy,
the groomers skill level or the environment. The size and breed does
not matter, each pet brings its own challenge. It is helpful to
start grooming at an early age, so that your pet will be more
comfortable at the groomer, and it will help elevate their anxiety.
It is also important to research your groomer and the salon
before making an appointment. The best way to find a
quality groomer is to ask for referrals from a veterinary
professional or from your friends and family.
The most
common hazards of pet grooming:
Brush or
Razor Burn- This is when the skin becomes
irritated from the groomer going over an area repeatedly and/or the pet is
shaved very close to the skin. It is more common when a dog is matted, and the
groomer is trying to remove the mat. Daily brushing will help reduce matting
and make the risk less. It can also occur when a dull or hot razor is used.
Skin irritations are more common if the skin is sensitive, inflamed or the pet
is suffering from a skin condition (such as yeast).
Nicks and
Scrapes- Your pet may get small cuts or nicks
when the groomer is trying to remove mats, or if your dog is jumpy and moves
unexpectedly. It is also possible that your pet has warts or moles under their
coat that get nicked when being trimmed. It is important to treat these cuts
immediately to avoid infection. Spraying Silver Immune Support on the cuts
is helpful.
Bleeding Nail Quick- When nails grow too long the nails may curl
under causing your pet to have challenges walking. If not trimmed
regularly, the quick will become overgrown and if the nails are clipped too
short they may bleed and be painful. To avoid bleeding quick, trim the
nails a little at a time allowing for the quick to recede before trimming
again.
Ear Hematomas- If your dog has had tightly matted hair, the blood flow may
have been restricted in that area. If the mat is removed the blood flow will
return quickly and a blood blister (hematoma) may form. Ear
hematomas which may occur after grooming are blood vessels in the ear
that burst. Although they can occur from grooming, they can also occur
from infections that causes the dog (especially floppy eared dogs) to shake
their heads violently causing the hematoma and/or scratching. Dogs can also get
ear infections from water getting in their ear. Please pay close
attention to your dog’s ears after a grooming. Unfortunately many of us do
need to take our pets to the veterinarian following a grooming, even with
the best groomers.
