In response to COVID-19, we are taking additional precautions. Face masks, gloves and social distancing are part of our dealing with the owners of the pets. Inside the van we have always used disinfectants, hand sanitizers and more, but we have now added more precautions and products to ensure things are clean and disinfected to protect your pets, your groomer and yourself. Thank you for your understanding.
Groomers are pet health care professionals. We take care of your pet’s skin and coat. We are not licensed to diagnose medical conditions, however, we are going to check for things like signs of ear infections, stud tail, fleas, eye discharge, odor, sores, anal gland issues, discharge on your pets private parts, scabs, sores, dandruff, flea dirt, and sensitivity. At the end of their grooming, your pet gets a health report on your invoice where we will point out anything we feel is of concern and may recommend you see your vet.
Again, even though we will check for these things, it is important to know that we are not vets and can not legally diagnose your pet. However, if I see that your pet has red sensitive ears, discharge, and a yeasty smell, I can tell you that these are all signs of an ear infection and suggest that you should take your pet to see their vet.
One day when I was grooming Sunny, a really nice large Golden-Doodle, I noticed that his muscle in one rear thigh was larger and not shaped the same as the other. I pointed this out to the owner who took Sunny to the vet the following day. Sunny had cancer, a fast growing cancer. Sunny got surgery two days after his groom and made a complete recovery because we had caught the cancer early.
Unlike most places we do not charge extra for special shampoos. We carry a large variety of shampoos: a good general all purpose shampoo, scented shampoos, moisturizing shampoos, shampoos to help damaged coats, hypoallergenic shampoos, dandruff shampoos, shampoos for dogs with skin issues and more.
We even have waterless shampoos for pets that are unable to be bathed due to medical or emotional issues. They still need to be cleaned. I currently carry 4 waterless shampoos that will degrease, deodorize and nourish their coat. If a bath is not an option, waterless shampoos help with cleanliness and smell.
I have researched and tested numerous suppliers and products. All of the products I use are made in America, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and cruelty free.
If you are not sure what kind of shampoo you want us to use, let us know. We will be happy to suggest the one we feel might best benefit your pet. If you have a special shampoo that was prescribed by your vet, we can probably use it, or we can suggest one of our own that meets your specific wants or needs for your pet.
When you hear that a pet died in PetSmart, PetValue, or a grooming salon read the small print. 99% of the time they died unmonitored in a cage dryer. When we groom a pet they are never, ever in a cage. They do not sit in a cage and wait for the bath, they are hand and towel dried not in a cage dryer. When we are done they are taken back into their home not sitting in a cage waiting to be picked up. To a pet not used to a cage, being in one could be terrifying and the dog in the next cage barking like crazy causes a lot of stress and anxiety. We work with and on your pet from start to finish they do not sit in a cage waiting for anything. Many times a cage is not properly sanitized between pets so your pet could be exposed to parasites or diseases from other pets.
Humanity over Vanity for older pets can be a complex issue. Salons as a rule do not want to groom older pets as they are a higher risk. We have a cover on our table that is designed to reduce the strain on arthritic joints of pets. Whether they are experiencing health issues or just old we can adjust to their needs we can do the entire groom without the pet standing, I have groomed dogs who sit the entire groom, dogs who are blind require special steps to protect them from falling off the table. Nails are very important and trimming the pads well helps give them more stability less slipping and falling. Older dogs may have incontinence or bladder issues, so we take extra care around areas that could get peed or pooped on to ensure they are trimmed so they stay clean. The hair/fur grows in slower on old dogs that impacts what you can and can’t do. We find out what the owner wants and get as close to that as the pets health will allow.