Grooming for Health
From a wet nose to a wagging tail, booking regular grooming appointments for your pet isn’t just for looks, It keeps them healthy too.
What some Green Dog Spa customers may not realize, is that we are giving a visual check every time a pet visits us.
In the process of bathing, trimming, and brushing pets, we’re sometimes able to spot small concerns before they become full-blown medical emergencies.
This means that lumps, lesions, discolorations, ticks, injuries, ear infections, and more will likely be detected with routine grooming visits. Although we’re not veterinarians, we work closely with these professionals that offer the next level of care.
When an abnormality is detected, we send the pet home with a note indicating what the groomer found. This way, when you book the veterinarian visit, you can pass along what was written by another pet care professional. This prevents miscommunication and gets your pet the care they need without delay.
You can help by supplementing these inspections at home too, it only takes minutes! Here’s what to look for.
Ears
The ears are a common troublespot for pets. Look to see that the ear canal is free from debris and is odor-free. Be sure to report to your pet care professional if you notice any excessive draining.
Eyes
Your pet’s eyes should be clear and both look the same, look for redness or irritation. The pupils should both track when looking right or left. There should not be any excessive crustiness or discharge.
Mouth
The condition of your pet’s mouth can quickly give you an indication of their health. In most breeds, the color of the gums should be a bubble gum pink. Any other color could mean a serious health problem and medical care could be needed. Look for any bleeding, sensitive areas or abscesses. The dog’s breath should be normal. Teeth should not have excessive tartar.
Paws
Make sure your pet is walking normally and without a limp. If there is some hesitancy, it could mean the paw is sensitive. This could come from something as simple as a thorn or as serious as overgrown nails that are now growing into the paw pad. Although simply remedied, this should not go untreated as it could cause long term health problems like arthritis.
Skin
Notice if your dog is continually scratching or biting the same spot and look for differences in fur patterns. Run your hand along the body and feel for any abnormal swelling or bumps. Be sure to separate the fur and visually inspect the skin and coat. You could find fleas or flea droppings. Don’t forget about the hidden spaces like under the front legs or in between paw pads. There shouldn’t be any matts or tangles in your pet’s fur. For severe tangles, your groomer may find it necessary to trim them out. If your pet is experiencing any abnormal sensitivity, it’s worth a trip to the vet to give them a closer look.
Giving your pet a nose to tail assessment should be a bonding experience with your pet. Go slow and if you need more help, Green Dog Spa offers complimentary visual checks on request. We want our customers to view us as a partner in their pet’s health and as part of the team that keeps your pet happy and vibrant.
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