Today I had an interesting grooming case that got me to thinking. I have been grooming these 2 Bichons for a few years now. I have not seen these Bichons for about 5 months; so I’m sure you have a real good idea on how they looked when they came into the shop.The owner said to me, “Do whatever you have to do – I do not care. Please do not be upset with me over their condition. I just can not afford to get them groomed.”

I felt sorry for her as well as the dogs. As I started shaving off the hair, it was coming off like a felt - all in one piece. Actually, the woman was very luck. I found very little skin breakdown under the matting. What is skin breakdown you ask? When the skin can not breathe or get air circulation, moisture starts to build on the skin causing sores. These sores then become infected. Groomers have been known to find maggots under these mats as well. Doesn't sound very pretty does it? It is not. It is not comfortable for the dog either. Once I shaved off all the mats, I started cleaning the ears on the dogs.

As I lifted the first ear flap, the smell was very strong. The ear was very warm and red. After removing some of the hair from the ear canal and cleaning up the ears, we moved on to toe nails that were very long. The toes of the dogs were actually starting to cramp up. Then off to the bath tub where anal glands were very full and uncomfortable.

I was able to fix most of the above problems. I expressed the anal glands; took the toe nails as short and the long quicks would let me, and removed all mats. The owner was very lucky but not completely off the hook. Both dogs still have to make a vet visit for their ears. Odds are good they will have to go on antibiotics for ear infections. That alone will cost more than bringing the dogs in for a groom sooner. Imagine how many more grooms this owner could have had if there had been skin break down from the mats or impacted/infected anal glands or a toe nail embedded into a pad. Sometimes what seems like a good way to save money, actually cost you more money.