Injuries Found While Grooming

[BC]

I have seen many dogs in disguting condition while grooming, such as maggots, ticks, dogs covered in blood because of fleas etc.

Recently I have been getting a few dogs that are completely matted, to the point where I cannot even find a patch to start clipping. I discovered on 1 dog that in her groin area, on the inside of her legs on both sides, that I came to a hard spot of hair. The dog did not appreciate me poking and prodding, but after looking closer under the matted hair, were 2 infected wounds, so bad that the matted hair was stuck to them and there was no way possible I could get the hair off. The wounds were also a green colour. I had no choice but to leave the hair on the dog. I still washed her and finished the groom but left this hair on. I then gave the owner a good talking to (as the matting on this dog started about 1cm above her eyes) and advised him that she needs urgent veterinary care or she could suffer from poisoning etc.

I also had a little one yesterday, again very bad matting, with old scabs coming off all over her while clipping. At least these ones had healed.

I find this hard as I get so angry, and can only advise the owners, but have no way of knowing if the veterinary attention has been given to these dogs ??

I am wondering if I am doing the right thing by still bathing the dogs etc, or should I stop the groom ??

Is bathing them making it worse or should I be doing something differently ??

The reallty badly fly blown dog I was grooming, I did stop the groom as he had maggots up his rear end and told the owner I was taking her dog to the vet right now, and I suggest she follows me (as she did not want to touch her dog) I said if she does not come she will not be getting her dog back.

She followed me and reluctantly paid $350.00 in veterinary care, but I now groom her dog every 2 months so I can keep an eye on this one.

Any suggestions as to what other groomers so in these cases.

Thanks

[mita]

Good on you for taking such a definite stand on the dog with maggots.

I used to think that people who'd take their dog to a dog groomer would be generally caring of their dogs...until one of the other DOLers, who is a groomer, posted about the disgusting & neglected condition of some of the dogs brought in.

That particular thread was a real eye-opener...so I was shocked, but not surprised, to read your post.

[Dogsfevr]

We always feel the dogs whilst the owners are present .If there badly matted we give them the choice of a clippoff or they can go elsewhere.

If the dog has sores we will still clip because atleast it benefits the dog .like you if there is a bad area we will trim it within reason & then tell them we will not clip the rest as it needs vet care.

We always keep the hair & if need be will take photos.

We still bath etc & then disinfect the bath,table,blades,scissors & anything else.

Besides the fact a dog shouldnt get to that stage & in reality a groomers job shouldnt be to dematt dogs but to groom them(i consider dog grooming that of a hairdresser) it also ruins your blades & scissors doing dogs in such a bad state

[MTD]

This is so sad to think that people don't realise there dog has sores, injuries that need attention.

I think you are doing the right thing. If not for anyone but for the dogs.

I agree with you showdog. Good Idea to feel the dog first as you can imagine some people blamming you for the dogs condition. Taking photos is also a good idea

I had a client once that blamed the clipper for a cut on her dog but after seeing her with scissors cutting matts off her dog I knew it was her .

I use to wash dogs and often felt very sick after wahing some dogs . Especially those with so many fleas that you could really smell the blood. Only ever saw one dog with maggots and that really turned my stomach. So All I can say is well done.

Edited April 4, 2007 by magthedag

[Daisy]

Very sad stories. Sometimes it is not always the owners fault I guess. My mum and dad had a very spoiled and much loved little dog, who had a very thick coat. He was about 14 years old, arthritic, and going deaf and blind. My mum had bowel cancer, and was in and out of hospital for a very long time, and was very very sick. She had noticed her little dog was limping, but she had to go to hospital, and dad took her and they stayed there for many hours waiting for her to get admitted. When dad got home it was very late at night. The next day he noticed the little fella was still limping and seemed off colour. Afte going to the hospital again, dad took Charlie to the vet. The vet discovered a very bad infection under the hair. He suggested it could have been caused by an insect bite! Because of his age and the severity fo the infection, Charlie was given his wings. My parents were absolutely devastated and blamed themselves, but mum was so very very sick at the time, I tried to reassure them that Charlie had had a very good and long life and that they had given him a loving home. RIP Charlie

[BC]

Very sad stories. Sometimes it is not always the owners fault I guess. My mum and dad had a very spoiled and much loved little dog, who had a very thick coat. He was about 14 years old, arthritic, and going deaf and blind. My mum had bowel cancer, and was in and out of hospital for a very long time, and was very very sick. She had noticed her little dog was limping, but she had to go to hospital, and dad took her and they stayed there for many hours waiting for her to get admitted. When dad got home it was very late at night. The next day he noticed the little fella was still limping and seemed off colour. Afte going to the hospital again, dad took Charlie to the vet. The vet discovered a very bad infection under the hair. He suggested it could have been caused by an insect bite! Because of his age and the severity fo the infection, Charlie was given his wings. My parents were absolutely devastated and blamed themselves, but mum was so very very sick at the time, I tried to reassure them that Charlie had had a very good and long life and that they had given him a loving home. RIP Charlie

How sad. :D There are some exceptions but it just makes me mad when these owners dont seems to care.

I'm sure your parents spoilt this little one with everything they had

[BC]

We always feel the dogs whilst the owners are present .If there badly matted we give them the choice of a clippoff or they can go elsewhere.

If the dog has sores we will still clip because atleast it benefits the dog .like you if there is a bad area we will trim it within reason & then tell them we will not clip the rest as it needs vet care.

We always keep the hair & if need be will take photos.

We still bath etc & then disinfect the bath,table,blades,scissors & anything else.

Besides the fact a dog shouldnt get to that stage & in reality a groomers job shouldnt be to dematt dogs but to groom them(i consider dog grooming that of a hairdresser) it also ruins your blades & scissors doing dogs in such a bad state

Thanks, I do always feel the dog prior to the groom, for abnormailities but also for the texture of the hair.

These sores just felt like part of the matted hair, grrrr and I didn't know until I tried to clip under there.

At least I feel better now in that I am doing the right thing by taking off what I possibly can and still bathing them.

Yes, it does ruin blades and scissors. I do now have a set of crap scissors just to do jobs like this so my sets of good ones dont get ruined.

Thanks heaps, I feel better now.

[JulesP]

BC Lover this is why I stopped grooming. I think I would have punched someone if I had continued. The thing that used to scare me is that these were the dogs that people were prepared to get groomed, what about the ones that didn't even get that.

[Ari]

Did someone say EASTER? Family is coming over...cant have the dog looking like a mess. Just think....these poor dogs went through summer like this.

I had one a month or so ago that's hair had matted around its leg. Every time it walked the hair acted like a saw and cut into its leg. Of course...it was My fault because I had been booked out at Christmas :D Just ignore the fact it could have been done any of the other 6 mths. I know that poor little dog wouldn't have got vet care, because the owner saw it as no big deal. I really hope that little dog picked a nice spot to curl up while he was clean and comfy and went to sleep....after 16 years of this, he deserves his rest.

[pebbles]

I had an understanding with the local Vets when I did grooming. If a new client came in with a dog obviously in a bad way I would tell them that if there were any complications found then the Vet would be called to do what ever necessary. I had the client sign authorisation to this effect and while I only had to resort to this a couple of times it covered all the bases. This was in a country town some years ago, don't know if the Vets now days would co-operate!

[Dogsfevr]

Daisey this isnt directed at you but it is also amazing with the elderly how many family now about the dogs & also wont help.

We have kids drop there parents dogs off & tell its been like this for awhile etc etc & they havent even attempted to help.

I now it can be hard but many people just dont plan there dogs grooming until its too late & when the dog comes in its so bad but the usual excuse it happened over night.

I have 18 dogs,all high maintance & not one has knots plus i work full time I plan my time & make the ffort but its amazing how many cannot do 1 dog

[MTD]

I agree showdog. If you get a high maintenance dog you either spend the time to groom it or you take it somewhere regularly for someone else to do it.

I could say if you haven't got the time to groom then get a short haired dog but then again people would still neglect that dogs needs .

It takes me 10 minutes a day to groom Maggie . After our walk/ run in the morning I groom her to get out all that debri. Better to get it out quickly before it gets too tangled. Once you get into a routine it is easy.

Edited April 4, 2007 by magthedag

[BC]

Did someone say EASTER? Family is coming over...cant have the dog looking like a mess. Just think....these poor dogs went through summer like this.

I had one a month or so ago that's hair had matted around its leg. Every time it walked the hair acted like a saw and cut into its leg. Of course...it was My fault because I had been booked out at Christmas Just ignore the fact it could have been done any of the other 6 mths. I know that poor little dog wouldn't have got vet care, because the owner saw it as no big deal. I really hope that little dog picked a nice spot to curl up while he was clean and comfy and went to sleep....after 16 years of this, he deserves his rest.

Yep, I hear ya !!!! I find this happens before Christmas and any other holidays.....grrrr

And, NO, I cant just groom your dog today.....

It is amazing how many people say "but I need it done by the weekend so can you just do it now !!"

I now think, well at least I have made the dog feel so much better for the next few months.

[BC]

I agree showdog. If you get a high maintenance dog you either spend the time to groom it or you take it somewhere regularly for someone else to do it.

I could say if you haven't got the time to groom then get a short haired dog but then again people would still neglect that dogs needs .

It takes me 10 minutes a day to groom Maggie . After our walk/ run in the morning I groom her to get out all that debri. Better to get it out quickly before it gets too tangled. Once you get into a routine it is easy.

Magthedag and Showdog,

Yes, This is what I cannot understand.

Is it really that hard to spend 5-10 minutes every 1-2 days to give your dog a complete brush through. (I use a fine comb)

Obviously, it keeps you dogs coat in nice condition and is great bonding with you dog.

IS IT REALLY THAT HARD ??

[Poodle wrangler]

I agree showdog. If you get a high maintenance dog you either spend the time to groom it or you take it somewhere regularly for someone else to do it.

I could say if you haven't got the time to groom then get a short haired dog but then again people would still neglect that dogs needs .

It takes me 10 minutes a day to groom Maggie . After our walk/ run in the morning I groom her to get out all that debri. Better to get it out quickly before it gets too tangled. Once you get into a routine it is easy.

After saying how her "beloved" dog had itchy skin, I asked the mother-in-law whether or not she brushed down to the skin etc. I was told: "Well, it's a matter of finding the time to brush.." . She doesn't work and is semi-retired. WTF? But she's buying expensive shampoo/ treatments from the vet instead of brushing and clipping her dog (maltese/ shitzu cross).

She still hasn't taken her dog to get his teeth professionally cleaned. I offered to pay months ago (she always says how she can't afford X, Y, Z), then she told the OH the $ were coming out of super. Last w/e says she's still not done it . She fusses over my dogs then tells stories about hers- I may strangle her the next time she does it .

I don't know how you groomers do it. Good on you for helping and sticking up for the dogs .

Dogs can't talk and depend on us to provide them with basic vet care in return for all their loyalty and affection.

[BC]

Hey Poodle Wrangler,

Teeth are a big one I find a lot of probs with.

I have had many clients say "my dogs breath smells" and when you look at the dogs teeth, their gums are green, and the teeth are black nearly to the bottom of the tooth. These dogs would be in the worst pain ever ..... arrrrrrrrrr

The worst teeth I saw was a little malt, very loved, but ignorant owner.

Her dogs breath was rank, so of coarse, examined the mouth and the gums were green, looked mouldy, and I could see the gaps in her back teeth, between the gum and the start of the roots of the teeth.

This lady was horrified (as she did not realise) and took her little Daisy to the vet asap. All back teeth top and bottom were removed and now she only has front teeth but pain free ..

And, I dont really like the excuse of I cant afford it.

This lady does not have much money but at a large animal hospital in Melbourne they have a payment plan and take $20.00 from her account every fortnight so she can pay for her dogs treatment.

If you look these vets are out there.

Cheers

[wagsalot]

I started to learn how to groom but after getting 5 matted dogs in a row I gave up and stuck to the washing.

Luckily now all the dogs I get in for washing have all been in pretty good condition, theres been one or two exceptions that had a bit of matting, but all up Im luckily Ive got good clients.

I dont think I could stand seeing dogs in such states - maggots etc.

[honeychild]

Its disgusting isnt it. I used to work at a groomers as a dog washer, and i was completely shocked at the condition of some of the dogs that came in, and there was always a 'reason' or an excuse given. I also caught giardia there, so someones poor dog has had it but it has obviously gone unnoticed. Unbelieveable.