Dog Groomer VENTING!! Ugh.

[MaiyasMommi]

I just want to start out by saying that if you can't take care of your dog... GIVE IT TO SOMEONE WHO CAN!!

So as some of you know I am a groomer - and today at work someone brought in a YOUNG Cocker Spaniel that was covered in mats, fleas, ticks, had ear infections, eye infections and a nasty skin infection. Not to mention it was covered in mud and dirt. This dog was only 7 months old and couldn't even walk properly because the mats were so tight around his legs. This just makes me sick!!!!!!

So after shaving the dog completely BALD, head to toe - you could see all the skin irritation and flea bites... it was so sad :mad: I honestly cried while I was shaving it - he was giving me kisses the whole time. It was almost like he was thanking me for making him feel better. When he initially came in, he was very shy and after the grooming was over he was jumping around and loving everyone.

These are the days that I'm glad to be a dog groomer - that I actually helped a pet feel better - but its also the days I dislike being a groomer, because it kills me inside that this dog is going right back home with his neglecting owner.

When the owner came back I said that he should get the eyes and ears looked at by a vet - he just sort of bypassed that idea - paid his bill and went on his way. I wonder what is going to happen to the dog now... It's killing me!

Just needed to vent. Thanks.

[kurikim]

Poor dog! :(

I understand that some people just don't realize that their dog needs consistant care to prevent mats and such. But when a professional is trying to help understand what needs to be done to get your pet healthy and is giving you their professional opinion, you should listen! I can't believe he would just shrug off your vet suggestion. How sad.

[tiffers]

Being at the vet side of this, we see people...standing in front of us...telling them their dog NEEDS this and that...they say they can't afford it or that they don't think the dog/cat needs it and go on their way. ...why in the heck did you come to a veterinary hospital if you didn't want to help your dog!?

You did the right thing by telling the owner, and it's a shame that the poor dog has to suffer. Perhaps now...that you've made all the issues visible, he may rethink what he'd first thought.

[Deogee]

As a veterinary technician myself I have noticed that oddly it seems as though the people with less money tend to sacrifice it to help their pets more than the rich housewives that we have in the area that I work...Maybe they have the idea that you can only make money by saving money...:confused:

[rockyzeus]

i would have called the aspca of r animal control in your area and would have turned him in you still can if you took the phone number and address of the person no dog should have to live in those contions i hope you are still able to turn this mean nasty person in

[buiza]

You probably should also worry about what age the poor little cocker will be the next time it sees a groomer. I find it impossible to believe that people honestly don't understand how painful this can be for an animal.
I use to get so angry at my granddaughter. I did not have the money to have her Pomeranian groomed and they NEVER had it done. Maybe I shouldn't have but I borrowed some clippers and started doing it myself. Now trust me, he and I both knew I was not a pro but he always loved every minute of it. I was careful, never hurt him and if that was all I could do he didn't seem to care how he looked which was somewhere between a little black lion and a Pomeranian, not to mention how much better he smelled!

[lindsayanng]

I think groomers like you are amazing.. The poor animal MIGHT be in danger, but you COULD call the spca in a few weeks and have them go over and check on the animal, if there is a police officer there offering to take the dog OR requiring them to get vet care within a certain time frame or they will seize the dog.. it IS very possible you can STILL help the dog.

On another note, it was a breeder who helped us with our terrier named ozzie.. he needed to be groomed monthly, and one day our groomer pointed out a small lump on his foot, and one on the back on his leg. She said the leg was where they would do certain vaccines, and it is possible he could have cancer that is now in his lymph system and is in his foot too.. We took him to the vet and she was right.. If it wasnt for her, we might not have noticed until it was too late.. the cancer eventually did take him, but he was much more comfortable for longer because of her